vivo’s STATEMENT ON RESPONSIBLE MINERAL PROCUREMENT
ABOUT CONFLICT MINERALS
Conflict Minerals refer to Cassiterite (Tin), Wolframite (Tantalum), Columbite-Tantalite (Tungsten), Gold, (hereinafter referred to as “3TG”) and their derivatives which are extracted from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its adjoining countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, hereinafter referred to as “DRC and its adjoining countries”) and directly or indirectly finance armed groups. According to reports, severe problems of human right violation and environmental pollution have occurred as a result of the mining of Conflict Minerals controlled by armed groups in conflict in DRC and its adjoining countries.
RESPONSIBLE MINERAL PROCUREMENT POLICY
vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “vivo”), in compliance with laws and principles of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, undertaking the corporate social responsibility and fulfilling the commitment to clients, strongly opposes any armed conflict, human right violation and environmental damage occurred during the mining of minerals. For the purpose that 3TG and their derivatives being used to manufacture the product are purchased from verified smelters or refiners, vivo continuously conducts appropriate due diligence within the supply chain to avoid any use of the Conflict Minerals which directly or indirectly finance armed groups in DRC and its adjoining countries. In addition, vivo also pays attention to other relevant minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, including but not limited to Cobalt and Mica.
vivo conducts due diligence of Conflict Minerals within supply chain through the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) established by the Responsible Minerals Initiative. Further, vivo requires suppliers to purchase from conformant smelters or refiners verified by Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) or other equivalent initiatives, to ensure that the Conflict Minerals information provided is accurate, as well as to establish Conflict Minerals management system and regulations to strengthen the supply chain management.
PARTICIPATION OF SUPPLIERS
vivo encourages suppliers to adopt the same principle of the responsible minerals procurement in respect of their supply chain management, and requires suppliers to:
1. guarantee that the products supplied to vivo are free from 3TG and their derivatives sourced from DRC and its adjoining countries that directly or indirectly finance armed groups and does not contain any other relevant minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas;
2. conduct due diligence of supply chain and establish responsible mineral purchase management system;
3. source the origin of Conflict Minerals and other relevant minerals within supply chain, truthfully report the usage and the source information of Conflict Minerals and other relevant minerals of product on a regular basis to vivo, and use smelters and refiners which have been assessed and verified to be conformant by the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process or other equivalent initiatives (such as Responsible Jewellery Council or London Bullion Market Association).
CONCLUSION
vivo fully understands the importance of responsible minerals procurement to the healthy and long-term development of the enterprise, the maintenance of good relation with business partners, and the social development. vivo is willing to undertake the enterprise social responsibility and promote the sustainable development through responsible mineral procurement and due diligence of the supply chain. Meanwhile, vivo encourages all suppliers to join this process and grow into healthier and longer-lasting enterprises together.
vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.