UK Electronics Responsibility to Work Towards a Conflict Minerals Free Supply Chain

Conflict Minerals are those mined in countries where armed conflict and human rights abuses are a concern. These minerals include Cassiterite (tin), Wolframite (tungsten), Coltan (tantalum), and Gold, they have become known as 3TG. The mining and sale of 3TG in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries has contributed to the funding of conflicts and in creating a humanitarian crisis.

On July 21 2010 the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into U.S law. Section 1502 of this Act is a disclosure requirement that calls upon companies to determine whether their products contain conflict minerals – by carrying out supply chain due diligence – and to report this to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

UK Electronics Limited are a CEM and as such does not directly purchase any minerals from any source. Electronic components that include 3TG minerals may be included in our customers specified Bill Of Materials and so are outside our control. But as a part of the Electronic Assembly process we do use solder products (tin) and are also in control of the purchase of PCBs (gold) unless the PCB’s are supplied by the customer.

In accordance with section 1502 of the Act – supply chain due diligence – we encourage our suppliers to adopt this policy regarding Conflict Minerals to help prevent the funding of violence and human right violations associated with the mining of 3TG. We monitor the relevant suppliers and require them to complete a CMRT4-01 declaration. Should they not have certified their supply chain and are not prepared to do so we will migrate to an alternative supplier where possible.

UK Electronics Limited understands the importance of this issue to our customers and are committed to our responsibility to work towards a conflict free supply chain enabling increased transparency within the market.

Our Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) v5.12 and this policy can also be viewed here.

Important information on the use of 3TG in the technology supply chain is currently being compiled by the Electronics Components Industry Association and the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition; this information can be viewed at www.ecianow.org