Axalta is committed to respecting human rights in all aspects of our business: in our own operations, in our dealings with our business partners, and throughout our entire supply chain. Our principles and expectations regarding human rights are outlined in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Supplier Code of Conduct. These Codes were developed to explicitly outline Axalta’s expectations of our employees, directors, and business partners—including suppliers—regarding respecting human rights. Our Codes and expectations are aligned with several international protocols, including but not limited to:

• The UN Global Compact

• The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• The Global Sullivan Principles 

• The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

• The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

For more information on Axalta’s approach to respecting human rights, please see our 2020-2022 Sustainability Report.

Conflict Minerals 

Axalta’s use of conflict minerals—defined as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold—is governed by our Conflict Minerals Policy. We require all suppliers of raw materials to follow this policy, which stipulates procuring minerals from conflict-free sources. These requirements are included in our standard terms and conditions with our raw material suppliers, in addition to the expectations outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct that are required of all suppliers. Our due diligence activities around conflict minerals sourcing are aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Through our reasonable country of origin determination process, Axalta uses the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s (RMI) Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) to survey our suppliers and receive information about specific smelters and refiners used in our supply chain.

California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 and U.K. Modern Slavery Act of 2015

Axalta’s commitment to responsible sourcing includes adherence to the goal of the eradication of human trafficking and slavery in our supply chain. We expect direct suppliers of Axalta’s tangible goods for sale to adopt sound human rights practices, to treat workers fairly and with dignity and respect, and in all cases to eliminate human trafficking and slavery in their workplace.

In addition to requiring that our suppliers meet the obligations of the Axalta Supplier Code of Conduct and contractual terms and conditions, we also expect our suppliers to comply with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 and the U.K. Modern Slavery Act of 2015. 

View our full statement regarding the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010.

View our full statement regarding the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015. 

Mica Mining

An example of our commitment to sustainable sourcing is our response to allegations of child labor used in the mining of mica. Axalta and other coatings companies use pearlescent pigments to provide special effects in selected vehicle coatings. These effects can rely on the use of natural mica, which has been associated with the use of child labor in selected jurisdictions in countries such as India and Madagascar. As reflected in the Axalta Supplier Code of Conduct, Axalta requires suppliers to purchase mica and other minerals that have not been mined in an environment that permits child labor or any other labor practices that infringe on human rights such as the use of slave, prison or forced labor.  

We have transparently worked with our pigment suppliers and customers to address risks in the mica supply chain. Axalta engages in direct communication with our suppliers and continues to conduct due diligence of our mica supply chain on a regular basis. We also have engaged with, and provided additional guidance and support to, suppliers to enable them to meet our requirements. Axalta is an active member in the mica working group of the Responsible Minerals Initiative, one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies from a range of industries addressing responsible mineral sourcing in their supply chains.
 

For more information, please see our 2020-2022 Sustainability Report.