Responsible Minerals Procurement

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the environmental destruction and inhumane acts against local residents perpetrated by armed anti-government militia forces have become a major international issue.

Minerals such as tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold mined illegally in the DRC and adjoining countries have become a source of financing for the armed anti-government militias, and hence, these minerals are called "conflict minerals." With the establishment of the conflict minerals provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in the US in July 2010 and the declaration of the Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas by the OECD, companies that use these minerals for the manufacture or functionality of their products are being strongly urged to conduct their activities appropriately, in an effort to cut off funding to such armed forces.

As a member of the global community, Sharp is conducting appropriate measures guided by the basic policy outlined below.

In order to ensure compliance with this Policy, Sharp requires our suppliers to source materials from smelters determined to be conflict-free under the Conflict-Free Smelter Program (CFSP)*, established by the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI)*, or other equivalent mechanisms. In addition, Sharp conducts appropriate measures with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas or other internationally-recognized due diligence framework.