E-TASC (Electronics - Tool for Accountable Supply Chains)

E–TASC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is Corporate Responsibility (CR)?

Corporate Responsibility (also known as Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR) is the voluntary commitment of enterprises to account for the social, environmental and economic impacts of their business.

Q. What is E–TASC?

E-TASC (Electronics – Tool for Accountable Supply Chains) is a web-based solution built to allow companies to exchange information and analyse risks for social and environmental practices with customers and other stakeholders.

Q. Who can join E-TASC?

E-TASC was originally developed in collaboration with GeSI for use in the ICT industry. However any company that wants to utilise the tools and processes in E–TASC to enhance supply chain performance in labour, ethics, health, safety and environmental aspects, may sign up.

Q. Why am I being asked to join E–TASC?

E-TASC is an industry initiative to drive continuous improvement of corporate responsibility policy and practices throughout the industry’s supply chain. Many organisations have been and will be asking their suppliers to share their corporate responsibility information through the E–TASC tool to begin this improvement process.

Q. What are the consequences of not complying with my customer’s request?

This is dependent on the customer that has invited you. The customer will have their own guidelines and rules for suppliers relating to the E–TASC solution.

Q. What are the benefits for my company?

Review the benefits of using E–TASC

Q. How much does E–TASC cost?

A Partial Subscriber pays an annual fee based on the number of facilities it registers. The annual fee per facility is $470 (US dollars). A Full Subscriber pays an annual fee based on the annual revenues of the business entity it registers. Payments range from $1,000 to $30,000 (US dollars). Review the subscription options in full.

Q. Why do we have to pay for this?

When you pay the subscription fee you pay to host your information in E–TASC. This information can then be shared with any\all of your customers and is owned and controlled by YOU. You will update your information as changes are made to your policy and procedure and you will be able to use E–TASC to demonstrate this progress and improvement to your customers It is the information ownership and hosting that you are paying for.

Q. Are discounts available?

Yes, we do offer several discounts to the Full Subscription fees based on your use of the E–TASC solution and membership in certain industry groups (e.g. GeSI Membership). If you would like to discuss discounts please contact us at e–tascsupport@achilles.com.

Q. What happens if the cost of registering multiple facilities exceeds the cost of a Full Subscription?

You will automatically be presented with the cost to register as a Full Subscriber. This policy is intended to offer you the additional functionality and service that comes with a Full Subscription and to avoid unnecessary costs.

Q. Can we upgrade from Partial to Full?

Yes, if you need to upgrade your account (either adding facilities or extending to a full subscription) please contact us as e–tascsupport@achilles.com. We will be happy to discuss the options with you and provide you with an appropriate quote.

Q. How do I apply?

Please use the online application form to apply for memembership.

Q. What is the definition of a facility?

A facility is defined as a production unit, administration unit, service unit or any combination thereof under common corporate management, located on a single plot of land or multiple adjacent plots of land. (The terms "facility" and "site" are used interchangeably in the E–TASC tool).

Q. I am not a manufacturing supplier do I still have to join?

The online questionnaires have been designed for use by both manufacturing and non-manufacturing suppliers, the questions you will have to answer are dependent on the operations and activities conducted at a facility level.

Q. I do not know if I need a Full or a Partial subscription, which do I choose?

Review the subscription options to help you choose which subscription is right for your organisation.

Q. How can I pay?

Payment can be made by credit card, electronic transfer or by cheque:

Credit Card:
Access our online shop to make a payment
Unfortunately we are unable to accept American Express cards at this time.
 
Electronic Transfer:
If you make payment via electronic transfer please use your invoice number (above) as your payment reference.
Bank:JPMorgan Chase
Account Name:Achilles Information Inc
Account Number:724811245
Swift:CHASUS33
Routing:111000614
 
Cheque:
Please note that cheques can only be accepted if they are drawn on a US bank account.
Please make cheques payable to ‘Achilles Information, Inc.’ and send to our accountants’ Houston address below:
Martin, Jones & Roberts, LLP
11767 Katy Freeway #1100
Houston,
Texas 77079
USA

Q. How is Information Security is ensured in E–TASC?

All E-TASC subscribers retain control over their own information AT ALL TIMES. This means that information is not shared with any customers unless the subscriber grants access to this information. Also it is possible to restrict access within a company by assigning access rights to individual people to complete the different tasks and view different information.