Responsible Mineral Procurement
Mineral Survey
In accordance with the Basic Policy on the Responsible Examination of Minerals, Alps Alpine has identified tin,tantalum,tungsten, gold, and cobalt produced by conflict-affected areas and regions associated with antisocial and inhumane acts of behavior as high-risk minerals and will conduct due diligence on such minerals in compliance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
Responsible Minerals Policy
Requests to Suppliers for Due Diligence
- Provide information on smelters and refineries that supply high-risk minerals
- Source high-risk minerals from smelters and refineries certified as not aiding conflict or committing human rights violations
Activities Under the Five Steps of OECD Due Diligence
| [Step 1] Establish strong company management systems |
In upholding our Responsible Minerals Policy, we have established an organization for identifying risks in the supply chain and have put in place systems for aggregating and managing assessment results and, as required, replying to customers and implementing corrective measures where risks are recognized within the supply chain. |
|---|---|
| [Step 2] Identify and assess risks in the supply chain |
We identify relevant parts and materials actually purchased each year for use in production and conduct conflict minerals surveys of the suppliers using CMRT*2 and EMRT*3 templates created by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI*1). The supervising organization identifies and assesses risks from the information gathered using RMI's certified smelter and refiner lists. |
| [Step 3] Design and implement a strategy to respond to identified risks |
If risks are identified, we notify the supplier concerned and work with the supplier to correct the situation. |
| [Step 4] Carry out independent third-party audit of smelter/refiner's due diligence practices |
Through our activities as a member of the Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), we encourage smelters and refiners to join the Responsible Minerals Assessment Process (RMAP*4), and we ask suppliers to procure from RMAP-conformant smelters and refiners in line with our Responsible Minerals Policy. |
| [Step 5] Report annually on supply chain due diligence |
We disclose information about Alps Alpine's responsible minerals sourcing activity in our Integrated Report and on our corporate website. |
FY2022 Responsible Minerals Sourcing Activity – Performance and Status
| Minerals | 3TG*5 | Cobalt/mica |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment coverage | All mass-produced parts and materials purchased during the period covered | All mass-produced parts and materials purchased during the period covered |
| All suppliers from which purchases were made during the previous year (globally approx. 1,000) | All suppliers of the electronic components segment (globally approx. 1,000) | |
| Response | 95.6% | 67.8% |
| % of smelters/refiners approved as RMI conflict-free smelter/refiner | 88.7% | 72.4% |
(As of April 2023)
In fiscal 2022, Alps Alpine conducted a survey with all suppliers from which it made purchases in the previous year on their products pertaining to the inclusion of 3TG*5, the country of origin, and the location of the smelter. In the event of identifying a smelter not certified by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), the appropriate measures toward improvements will be undertaken through our discussions with the relevant suppliers.
*1 Responsible Minerals Initiative: An association of more than 300 companies and organizations worldwide that leads efforts on conflict minerals
*2 Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT)
*3 Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT). Minerals covered are cobalt and mica.
*4 the Responsible Minerals Assessment Process (RMAP)
*5 3TG: Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold