An Indian pollution regulator has accused a Tata components factory supplying Apple iPhones of contaminating groundwater near farmland with wastewater, raising the prospect of a forced shutdown unless the company provides a satisfactory response.
The plant, located in Hosur in southern Tamil Nadu state, produces back panels and other components for iPhones and plays a key role in Apple’s strategy to diversify its supply chain beyond China.
According to a notice from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, multiple inspections between December 2025 and May 2026 found evidence that wastewater from the facility was discharged into a rainwater harvesting pond inside the site, which then overflowed into surrounding agricultural land.
The regulator said this led to contamination of groundwater in nearby open wells used by farmers, following months of complaints from local landowners.
The notice also stated that Tata Electronics had failed to implement corrective measures previously instructed in a letter issued in December 2025. It warned that the company must explain why power to the unit should not be cut and operations suspended for breaching environmental rules.
Tata Electronics said it had commissioned an independent study through an accredited laboratory, which found the site was “in full compliance with all regulatory norms”. The company said it remained committed to environmental protection and responsible business practices, and confirmed it had responded to the authorities.
Apple, which imposes strict environmental requirements on its suppliers, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
Companies have often faced disciplinary action from pollution authorities in India. In 2024, Mercedes-Benz improved wastewater and air pollution management at its only car factory in India, after officials detected lapses in compliance with environmental law.
New Delhi's Environment Ministry told the Indian Parliament in February that 4.4 per cent of 544,364 industries were found non-compliant with environmental standards in the last five years, and 3,600 were shut down by pollution control departments.
The Hosur investigation adds to a series of challenges faced by Apple’s expanding supply chain in India, including previous disruptions at Tata’s site and other supplier facilities due to fires and compliance issues.
India is expected to significantly increase its role in global iPhone manufacturing in the coming years, as Apple continues to shift production away from China.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are m...
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his governmen...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has cleared the criminal record of former soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian in the West Bank in 2016.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
The death toll in a suicide attack at a police compound in northwest Pakistan has reached 31, AFP reported on Saturday, citing a police official.
Azerbaijan has rejected France’s justification for advising its citizens against travel to the country, after Paris cited risks of arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment