Corporate and Social Responsibilities
Novatech manufactures products for global export, and we feel strongly that we have a corporate and social responsibility to uphold the best practices regarding corporate ethics, environmental protection, quality and safety, health, human rights and labour.
We understand that the use of certain minerals recognised as ‘Conflict Minerals’ in the electronics industry is complicated due to the complexity of international supply chains, and are committed to using only world-class manufacturers in the production of our products.
Conflict Minerals
The United States government has identified four minerals as being potentially ‘Conflict Minerals’ mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and some adjoining countries;
- Tantalum (columbite-tantalite or coltan ore)
- Tin (cassiterite ore)
- Tungsten (wolframite ore)
- Gold
In parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and some adjoining countries, it is known that illegal mining, corruption, looting and smuggling of these commodities is used to finance and benefit armed groups that are perpetrators of human rights abuses.
Novatech feels strongly that they have a responsibility in ensuring that our products do not contain Conflict Minerals sourced from mines that directly or indirectly benefit armed groups. To achieve this, we have implemented policies and frameworks to comply with industry best practices, and require that our suppliers do the same.
Further information regarding the industry coordinated response to eliminating DRC Conflict Minerals from the supply chains of international companies can be found on the Responsible Business Alliance Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly EICC/GeSA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas