All public companies must evaluate their product lines to determine whether they contain necessary conflict minerals. The conflict minerals are tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (called the 3TG’s). If any products we manufacture or contract to manufacture contain these minerals a Form SD needs to be filed by May 31 annually. Companies using conflict minerals must also disclose their supply chain inquiries to verify whether these minerals originated in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) or adjoining countries.
While the burden of compliance is on the public companies who manufacture those products, members of their supply chains for those products are also impacted; because Advantus supplies products to publicly traded companies, and because Advantus does not support unethical sourcing, Advantus requires its suppliers to comply with this requirement.
Advantus’ Expectations for Suppliers
- Supply “DRC Conflict Free” materials. Under Advantus’ conflict mineral’s policy, suppliers are expected to supply materials to Advantus that are “DRC conflict free,” which means either: 1) any 3TGs necessary to the functionality or production of supplied materials must not directly or indirectly fund armed conflict in the DRC or adjoining countries, or 2) any 3TGs must be from recycled or scrap sources.*
- Adopt conflict minerals policies. Suppliers to Advantus must adopt a policy regarding conflict minerals consistent with Advantus’ policy, implement management systems to support compliance with their policy, and require their suppliers to take the same steps.
- Send surveys to their suppliers, and complete Advantus’ survey.
Advantus encourages its suppliers to responsibly source 3TGs from the DRC and adjoining countries through smelters and refiners validated as DRC Conflict Free through the CFS or similar programs.
Link to CFSI website: http://www.conflictfreesourcing.org/
Advantus Customers
Advantus customers may request a Conflict Mineral Reporting Template (CMRT). This template is a statement from the company that describes if and how any conflict minerals are used in any of its products. Some customers request Advantus complete this information online using Source Intelligence.
Advantus does not use conflict minerals in any of its products.