Greenpeace protesters have climbed the Benelux headquarters of Samsung, in Brussels, to protest at the company's policy over the use of toxic substances.
They have displayed the message "Samsung = Broken Promises" on the front of the building, challenging the company over its promises to eliminate certain toxic substances from its products.
According to Greenpeace, Samsung was the first company to publicly commit to eliminate PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from new models of all its products. In 2006 Samsung committed to phasing our BFRs from its products by the start of 2010 and in 2007 it committed to a deadline of end 2010 for the phase out of PVC.
The organisation says that Samsung only admitted weeks before it was due to deliver new greener products that it would fail to meet the targets.
"Samsung's promises are proving to be as thin as its TVs, as it loses face and ground to competitors such as Apple, HP, Nokia and Sony Ericsson who have long delivered products free of these hazardous substances, proving that this can be done," said Greenpeace Electronics campaigner Iza Kruszewska.
For its part, Samsung said it was aware of the Greenpeace representatives stationed outside of its Brussels office and that Samsung's global HQ is currently in discussion with Greenpeace over the matter.
"Samsung is lagging far behind in the mobile phone and PCs product range, not offering a single model that is even partially free of PVC and BFRs," claimed Kruszewska.
"If Samsung is serious about its green intentions, it needs to play catch up with competitors like Nokia and Sony Ericsson and Apple. People are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of what they buy; Samsung needs to understand, what is good for human health, and for the environment is also good for the company's bottom line."
The protest coincides with the latest release of the Greenpeace company ranking guide, the new version of which penalises Samsung for delay in removing the substances.
See also: Electronics Weekly's Focus on Samsung Electronics, a roundup of content on three main areas of the technology giant's development: memory chips, LCD displays and mobile phone technology.
See also: Photos: Electronic waste in Ghana, a look at how unwanted electronic goods are imported and dumped in the Third World.