We work closely with our manufacturing partners to build a supply chain that we consider predictable, scalable and efficient to provide high-quality, reliable products. Many of our manufacturing partners have worked with us for multiple years to form stable, long-term relationships focused on similar goals. ESG matters are considered when working with our manufacturing partners, whether evaluating alignment to our ESG goals as part of the onboarding process or assessing ongoing compliance with our ESG standards. These matters are specifically addressed through our international certification review, conflict minerals reporting process and Manufacturer Code of Conduct.
International Certifications
Our production is outsourced to contract manufacturers. Accordingly, supplier selection is important for us to ensure production of high-quality products and that our ESG goals are adhered to throughout our supply chain. Speifically, we require our manufacturing partners to have internationally recognized quality and sustainability certifications. As of year end 2024, our manufacturing partners had the following certifications:
Certification |
Description |
Manufacturers Certified |
ISO 9001 |
Quality Management Systems
Specifies criteria for organizations to establish a quality management system (QMS) to improve their performance, meet customer expectations and commit to quality.
|
100% |
ISO 14001 |
Environmental Management System
Specifies criteria for organizations to establish an environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.
|
87% |
ISO 45001 |
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Specifies requirements for organizations to establish an occupational health and safety (OHS) management system to provide safe and healthy workplaces.
|
60% |
Certification ISO 9001 |
Quality Management Systems
Specifies criteria for organizations to establish a quality management system (QMS) to improve their performance, meet customer expectations and commit to quality.
Manufacturers Certified: 100%
|
Certification ISO 14001 |
Environmental Management System
Specifies criteria for organizations to establish an environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.
Manufacturers Certified: 87%
|
Certification ISO 45001 |
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Specifies requirements for organizations to establish an occupational health and safety (OHS) management system to provide safe and healthy workplaces.
Manufacturers Certified: 60%
|
Conflict Minerals Reporting
Conflict minerals are associated with armed conflicts and human rights violations in the areas where they are mined. We understand the importance of avoiding conflict minerals that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups and audit the sourcing of conflict minerals used by smelters and refiners in our product supply chain.
We conduct a good faith reasonable country of origin inquiry to survey our manufacturing partners using a variation of the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative to determine whether any covered conflict minerals are sourced from covered countries.
Conflict Minerals |
Covered Countries |
Columbite-tantalite (coltan)
Cassiterite
Gold
Wolframite
Derivatives, of the forgoing, which are limited to tantalum, tin, and tungsten
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo (the “DRC”) Countries sharing an internationally recognized border with the DRC (the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Angola). |
Conflict Minerals |
Columbite-tantalite (coltan)
Cassiterite
Gold
Wolframite
Derivatives, of the forgoing, which are limited to tantalum, tin, and tungsten
|
Covered Countries |
Democratic Republic of the Congo (the “DRC”) Countries sharing an internationally recognized border with the DRC (the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Angola). |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we received a 100% response rate from our in-scope manufacturing partners, with 9 of 12 respondents reporting that the materials they sell to us do not contain conflict minerals from covered countries. Our manufacturing partners also identified 263 smelters and refiners that are processors of 3TG metals that we believe were potentially in our products covered by the inquiry for that year. All but 42 of these smelters and refiners were validated as conformant smelters with a responsibly sourced auditing program.
Click here to read our latest conflict minerals report.
Manufacturer Code of Conduct
Our Manufacturer Code of Conduct ensures our manufacturing partners are operating in a manner consistent with our values and standards. Our Manufacturer Code of Conduct is aligned with established industry frameworks and global standards, including standards regarding human rights, labor rights, the environment and anti-corruption. Our manufacturers are expected to, and our contracts with them explicitly require them to, comply with all applicable international, national, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including those related to ESG matters. In addition, we expect our manufacturers to integrate the values and standards listed in our Manufacturer Code of Conduct into their own operations and across their own supply chains. Further, our manufacturing agreements allow us to audit their compliance with these standards.
Click here to read our Manufacturer Code of Conduct.