Conflict Mineral Policy

UGN Conflict Mineral Policy Statement

In response to violence and human rights violations in the mining of certain minerals from the “Conflict Region,” which is situated in the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted rules to implement reporting and disclosure requirements related to “conflict minerals,” as directed by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

The rules require manufacturers who file certain reports with the SEC to disclose whether the products they manufacture or contract to manufacture contain “conflict minerals” that are “necessary to the functionality or production” of those products.

The definition of “conflict minerals” refers to gold, as well as tin, tantalum, tungsten, the derivatives of cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, and wolframite, regardless of where they are sourced, processed, or sold. The U.S. Secretary of State may designate other minerals in the future. We support the humanitarian goal of ending violent conflict in the DRC and surrounding countries. UGN also extends its responsible materials policy to cobalt and mica.

We are committed to the responsible sourcing of “conflict minerals” throughout our supply chain and to continuing to comply with the underlying SEC rules and regulations surrounding “conflict minerals.”

In support of this policy, UGN will:

  • Exercise due diligence with relevant suppliers consistent with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and encourage our suppliers to do likewise with their suppliers.
  • Provide, and expect our suppliers to cooperate in providing, due diligence information to confirm the tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold, as well as cobalt and mica in our supply-chain are “conflict free.”
  • Commit to transparency in the implementation of this policy by making available reports on our progress to relevant stakeholders.