Conflict minerals policy

In recent years, the world is more and more attention to the democratic republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries mining of "conflict minerals" (including tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold).Is believed to be engaged in mining operations in the region of armed groups seriously violating the rights of workers and indigenous peoples, and use of conflict minerals sales revenue to fund regional conflicts.

Against these abuses, congress enacted legislation that requires some companies to publicly disclose its use of conflict minerals.XNUMX, 2012, the securities and exchange commission (SEC) passed a final rule, require manufacture or contract manufacturing contain "conflict minerals" product of the listed company of origin for such minerals, source and regulatory chains conduct due diligence, and provide relevant special disclosure of the results of such due diligence.

Tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (tg "3") in manufacturing various electronic and medical equipment and other products (including some products Merit) is necessary.Merit from reputable suppliers to purchase the components and raw materials, and there is no reason to believe that any one of these components or materials are included to help fund violence in the democratic republic of Congo's conflict minerals.However, because of the complexity of the global metal supply chain, we cannot determine whether these components include such conflict minerals.Therefore, Merit launched meet the process of conflict minerals regulatory requirements, and take measures to increase supply chain for these minerals due diligence measures.Merit is also committed to cooperation with suppliers, in a responsible way to purchase the products in the use of materials and components.(please refer to the Merit of the supplier code of conductPlease click here)

In order to promote this commitment, Merit expects its suppliers:

• Familiar with the rules of the SEC's conflict minerals, implement policies consistent with this policy, and its direct and indirect suppliers to do the same;
• Implementation process, at least to conflict minerals back to level of smelting plant or refinery, in collaboration with their direct and indirect suppliers (as the case may be), and provide them to Merit in supplying products to Merit the source of the materials used in the country of origin and appropriate validation.
• In reasonably possible, from the validated conflict-free smelter and refinery purchasing conflict minerals, and its direct and indirect suppliers to do the same;
• At the request of Merit, offering Merit about supply Merit products and components contained in the source of conflict minerals of documentary evidence and other information, and its direct and indirect suppliers to do the same.

Merit retained to verify any information received from the suppliers, and at any time to any supplier for Merit that the necessary information, certificates and documents, to monitor and evaluate compliance with this policy.

If you find that supplier does not meet the goal of this policy, suppliers should develop, implement and record when planning and correct such compliance behavior.If you can't solve the problem of illegal, Merit reserves the right to seek terminate the relationship with suppliers.

For more information on Merit conflict mineral program, please contact the chief compliance officer Dave Lewis[email protection].