Conflict of Minerals Statement

T&S Conflict Minerals Policy: Our Commitment to Ethical Sourcing

T&S is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen by ensuring compliance in all its business operations. We do not support or use metals sourced from armed conflict, illegal mining, or poor working conditions, known as "conflict minerals."

Definition of Conflict Minerals

Conflict minerals refer to columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, cobalt, or their derivatives, as well as any other minerals or derivatives designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as financing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or its neighboring countries. Mining activities in these regions are often linked to armed groups, contributing to long-term instability. The countries involved include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Angola, South Sudan, Zambia, and Kenya. The relevant metals include Au (gold), Ta (tantalum), W (tungsten), Sn (tin), and Co (cobalt).

Responsible Sourcing Commitment: Zero-Tolerance for Conflict Minerals

T&S adheres to and requires its suppliers to comply with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and the CFSI's (Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative) smelter audit guidelines. We require our suppliers to ensure that products supplied to T&S do not contain conflict minerals from the DRC or its surrounding regions, nor from any armed group-controlled areas within those regions. Suppliers are also required to strengthen supply chain management, establish relevant control systems, and implement effective measures to identify and trace raw material sources, ensuring the legality of the materials used and preventing the use of conflict minerals.

Policy Implementation

To prevent the use of conflict minerals from the DRC and its neighboring regions in T&S's raw materials, we have established and implemented the "Conflict Minerals Prohibition Policy and Procedures." This policy supports responsible regional sourcing, meets customer requirements, and improves supply chain conditions.

Supplier Oversight & Due Diligence: Ensuring a Conflict-Free Supply Chain

T&S selects suppliers based on material specifications and quality requirements. All suppliers are required to submit samples for approval and conduct a conflict minerals information investigation on the materials provided. T&S regularly issues the CMRT (Conflict Minerals Reporting Template) and EMRT (Extended Minerals Reporting Template) to suppliers to investigate the presence of conflict minerals.

If any supplier's materials are found to contain conflict minerals from the DRC or its neighboring regions, the supplier must provide a written explanation. T&S will immediately cease procurement and use of such materials. The supplier is required to identify a new, conflict-free source of minerals and provide valid evidence to demonstrate compliance with the conflict-free requirements of the DRC. Additionally, suppliers must develop and implement corrective and preventive measures to ensure compliance with T&S's conflict-free sourcing standards.

This policy underscores T&S's commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible corporate practices.