Exclusive: ASUS redefining what sustainability means in the tech sector

ASUS has become the very first company in the world to receive a five-star 'Role Model' rating in sustainable procurement from SGS, based on the ISO 20400 standard.

For Emma Ou, Commercial Regional Head for Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia at ASUS, the recognition is more than symbolic.

"This recognition is an important milestone in our sustainability journey," she said. "Being the first company globally to receive the SGS ISO 20400 certificate with a five-star rating demonstrates the maturity of our systems, the strength of our cross-functional collaboration, and the power of data-led transformation."

At the core of the company's strategy is a wide-reaching sustainable procurement framework that integrates supplier performance metrics, risk assessments, digital carbon tracking, and ESG education into day-to-day operations.

"This certification validates that our approach is not just comprehensive but truly sets a benchmark for the global tech industry," she added.

Unlike many companies that treat sustainability as a compliance box to tick, ASUS is turning it into a business advantage. "We believe that sustainability is no longer a cost centre or compliance issue - it's a source of competitive advantage," Ou said.

ASUS's approach is built around embedding environmental goals across its value chain.

This ranges from sustainable procurement to transparent carbon data platforms and product design focused on durability and energy efficiency.

A critical element in this transformation has been the Carbon Data Management Platform, now used by over 900 suppliers and ASUS subsidiaries. "The platform was built to support ASUS and our suppliers in complying with the international carbon disclosure standards, but its impact goes far beyond compliance," Ou explained.

"It eliminates millions of manual data entries, reduces supplier guidance time by 70%, and increases data accuracy across the board."

Ou sees the platform as the backbone of a more resilient and low-carbon supply chain.

While much of ASUS's global sustainability strategy is driven from its headquarters, regional leaders like Ou are focused on local execution. "Locally we play an important role in supporting these efforts through alignment, implementation and engagement, something I am passionate about elevating locally over the coming years," she said.

This means embedding sustainability into regional decision-making, upskilling local teams, and promoting initiatives such as sustainable procurement and customer education.

ASUS's internal structure supports this integration, with a Business Continuity Management Committee that brings multiple departments together.

"This cross-functional structure has been key to our progress thus far and will no doubt continue playing a key role as we further advance ESG standards," she said.

Sustainability is also becoming a core principle in product design. ASUS now uses lifecycle assessments in the early stages of development and prioritises recycled materials, energy-efficient components, and repairability.

"Our product teams work with our ESG leads to model environmental impacts early in the design process," Ou explained.

"Our ExpertBook range uses recycled materials and is designed to maximise repairability and longevity. We've also implemented digital product passports to help communicate product-level environmental data more transparently to end-users."

Rather than balancing innovation against sustainability, ASUS integrates the two. "I would not call it a trade-off. We would view this as a design principle," she said.

"Our teams are tasked with delivering innovation that is both powerful and responsible."

The ExpertBook B9, for example, is ultra-lightweight and high-performance, while also being carbon-neutral and certified under rigorous environmental standards.

"The key is to integrate ESG goals into every product brief and make sustainability a driver of innovation, not a barrier," she added.

Strong supplier and customer partnerships have been vital to advancing these goals. ASUS regularly audits its suppliers' ESG performance, offers training, and collaborates on low-carbon solutions. The company's Carbon Partner Services programme helps enterprise customers align their procurement strategies with Scope 3 emissions targets.

And ASUS is taking these efforts even further.

"For select product lines, we offset the carbon footprint at the point of shipment, meaning the devices received by our customers are already certified carbon neutral," Ou said. "This allows enterprise customers to contribute directly to their Scope 3 goals without needing to take additional steps post-purchase."

Looking ahead, Ou sees ASUS's model as a signpost for the wider industry.

"The future of tech isn't just faster, smaller or more powerful," she said. "It's also cleaner, smarter, and more transparent."