Conflict Minerals

As we are committed to respect and protect Human rights and Labor rights, we work to protect and safeguard the well-being of people throughout the value chain. Nordic Semiconductor does not directly purchase raw minerals from the mining sites, but is committed to meet internationally accepted due diligence standards for sourcing of minerals.

Nordic Semiconductor has worked with the issue of Conflict Minerals since 2010 and engages regularly with the suppliers to provide accurate and transparent information on the origin of minerals to concerned stakeholders. Identification of smelters, and assessment of country of origin of the minerals, are investigated based on the supply chain reporting scheme set out by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), an initiative by Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).

Nordic Semiconductor is a member of RBA and RMI and requires all subcontractors follow the RBA Code of Conduct and its provisions to conflict minerals.

Nordic Semiconductor’s Conflict Minerals Policy 

The eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has long been the site of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and the conflict there continues.

Conflict minerals are defined as the metals tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold (3TG), which are the derivatives of the minerals cassiterite, columbite-tantalite and wolframite, respectively. The 3TG are defined as “Conflict minerals” regardless of whether or not these minerals finance conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or adjoining countries.

As part of Nordic Semiconductor’s commitment to social responsibility and compliance to the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct, it is our policy to only have part in trade where the respect for human rights is upheld, and where trade is not contributing to violent conflicts. It is our goal that our products and our supply chain shall be “conflict free”, i.e. free of materials that directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed entities.

In support of this policy, Nordic Semiconductor commits to:

  • Exercise due diligence with relevant suppliers consistent with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and
    encourage our suppliers to do likewise with their suppliers.
  • Work with our suppliers to enable products that are conflict-free
  • Provide due diligence information to confirm the conflict free status of relevant material in our supply chain.
  • Transparently implement this policy by making available reports on our progress to relevant stakeholders and the public.
  • To reasonably ensure conflict-free supply chains, suppliers are expected to adopt policies and due diligence measures, and to require their suppliers to adopt similar policies and measures.
 

Contacts for conflict minerals related topics

E-mail: environment@nordicsemi.no

Related content

Responsible Minerals InitiativeResponsible Business AllianceGlobal e-Sustainability InitiativeRBA code of conductUN Global Compact letter of commitmentConflict-free sourcing initiative