There has been increased awareness of violence and human rights violations in the mining of certain minerals from a location described as the "Conflict Region", which is situated in the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries. Companies around the globe have been requested to practice reasonable due diligence with their supply chain to assure that specified metals are not being sourced from mines in the Conflict Region, which is controlled by non-government military groups, or unlawful military factions. The rich mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have fueled one of the world's deadliest conflicts. We understand that most of our suppliers do not have a direct purchasing relationship with mining companies. However, we understand that we have the opportunity to have a positive impact on this complex issue as an individual company. Thus, we have taken the following action:
Timex Nederland B.V. and Timex Group B.V. have proactively taken measures on the sources and origins of the above-mentioned minerals to ensure a conflict-free supply chain.
1. TNBV & TGBV suppliers must conduct their operations
in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
2. TNBV & TGBV
does not accept conflict minerals originating from the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC) and its adjoining countries.
3. TNBV & TGBV
suppliers shall trace the origins of the minerals used, e.g. Co, Au, Pd, Ta, Sn
and W, to ensure that they are not conflict minerals.
4. TNBV & TGBV
suppliers shall impose the same requirement on their upstream
suppliers.