The US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted a final rule implementing Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded (i.e., SEC-registered) companies to make certain disclosures regarding: (a) their worldwide use of conflict minerals (i.e., tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) in products they manufacture or contract to manufacture; and (b) actions taken to identify the use of conflict minerals in their supply chains, including identifying the country of origin for any conflict minerals. Companies with supply chains that include conflict minerals from the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) region also will be required to determine whether the conflict minerals are “conflict free” (that is, do not directly or indirectly finance armed groups through mining or mineral trading in the DRC Region).
 
Whilst the enclosed is a pre alert of a US legislative act, Wittur and their customers feel it is vital that we act now and are prepared should actions need to be taken as a result of this legislation.
Wittur procurement policy therefore bans the delivery of materials or components that are suspect of not being compliant with these rules.
 
We urge our suppliers to get familiar with these pieces of legislation and take the necessary actions to assure compliance, challenging your own materials and product suppliers.
 
To learn more about the legislation and “Conflict Minerals”, please consult the SEC website http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2010/2010-245.htm
 
In case of questions please contact your Wittur Purchasing representative.