Among other things, the Code requires suppliers to uphold workers’ human rights and treat workers with dignity and respect; reject any use of forced or child labor; set reasonable working hours; avoid discrimination; and conform to industry-standard health and safety practices. The Code also requires our suppliers to respect the environment by obtaining required permits, minimizing pollution, and safely managing hazardous substances. And the Code requires our suppliers to uphold the highest standards of ethics by, for example, rejecting commercial bribery and respecting third parties’ intellectual-property rights.

The term “conflict minerals” refers to four metals -- tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold -- that may be sourced from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Illegal armed groups may use proceeds from those mines or nearby transit routes to fund their violent operations. Snap Inc. is committed to complying with rules and guidelines regulating the use of conflict minerals, regardless of whether they technically apply to our operations. We require our suppliers to certify that they source minerals from conflict-free smelters and exercise proper due diligence on their own suppliers. And we have engaged a supply chain data-management company to facilitate supply-chain tracking and ensure that our suppliers are living up to their commitments.

We use a risk assessment methodology and, where appropriate, conduct third-party supplier audits to assess compliance with the above standards. But we do more than hold our suppliers responsible for meeting these standards; we also provide them the support they need to do so. If we think that a supplier can correct its missteps, we look to use experienced third parties to work with the supplier to develop an effective corrective action plan. Working with suppliers to improve labor and environmental conditions is fundamental to our program.