Heraeus Human Rights Policy
VERSION 3/2023

Heraeus Holding GmbH
Heraeusstraße 12–1463450 Hanau

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1. Introduction
As a family-owned company with a history of more than 160
years, Heraeus commits to the principle of sustainability andthe observance of universally recognized human rights.
Heraeus commits to treat its employees, including temporary
hires and migrant workers, and all individuals in other typesof employment relationships, with respect and dignity.
Heraeus also expects its customers and suppliers to respect
the human rights of their employees. Heraeus’ expectations
towards its suppliers are laid down in the Heraeus Supply
Chain Due Diligence Policy.

2. Human RIGHTS POLICY - UNDERLYING REGULATIONS
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration
on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work andthe corresponding fundamental Conventions;
UN Guiding Principles on Business and HumanRights;
Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations for thePrevention of Human Rights Violations in Supply
Chains (Germany);
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible
Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affectedand High-Risk Areas.

3. Principles AT HERAEUS
Heraeus is committed to compliance with the following
principles:a. Prohibition of child laborChildren may not be employed below the minimum age foradmission to employment permitted by applicable law.
The minimum age for admission to employment must not beless than the age of completion of compulsory schoolingand, in any case, not less than 15 years, as set out in ILO
Convention No. 138, or, where permitted under applicable
local law, not less than 14 years.
i. Hazardous work
Heraeus does not tolerate the employment of minors
below the age of 18 for hazardous work which, by its
nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, islikely to harm their health, safety, customs or lifestyles.

conditions, especially in connection with professional
education, Heraeus will tolerate the employment ofminors only if the health, safety, customs and lifestyles ofthe minors involved are protected in every respect and theminors have received appropriate specific instructions or
professional training in the corresponding field of activity.
ii. Worst forms of child labor
Heraeus does not tolerate the worst forms of child labor1.
b. Prohibition of all forms of slavery and of forced labor
Heraeus denounces, and does not tolerate, any form offorced labor as defined in ILO Convention No. 29, including
slave labor, labor exacted under threat of penalty or
involuntary labor. The employees' freedom of movement
must not be restricted in an inappropriate manner.
Employees must always be free to terminate theiremployment relationship observing the agreed notice period.
Heraeus, and any of its agents or other third parties actingon behalf of Heraeus, may not withhold, seize or destroy
identity cards, passports, immigration documents or licensesof employees unless such withholding, seizure or destruction
is required by applicable law. Employees must not be
required to pay to Heraeus, or any of its agents, recruitment
fees or similar fees which, in aggregate, exceed one month'ssalary.
c. Working hours
Working hours must not exceed the limits prescribed byapplicable local law. Without prejudice to the provisions oflocal law, the weekly working time, including overtime, mustnot exceed 60 hours. Exceptions are only acceptable under
extraordinary circumstances or in case of emergency.
Employees are entitled to at least one free day per week.
d. Salary and social benefits
The salary and social benefits must be at least in accordancewith the minimum legal standards applicable in the country
where an employee performs work for Heraeus. Overtime
must at least be remunerated in compliance with theapplicable laws and regulations. Heraeus employees areentitled to a conclusive and verifiable salary statement
substantiating payment of the agreed salary by Heraeus.
Temporary hires may only be recruited in accordance withthe provisions stipulated in the applicable laws andregulations.
e. Humane treatment of employees
Brutal or inhuman treatment of employees is prohibited.
Moreover, harassment of any type, corporal punishment andmental or physical coercion are considered as inhumantreatment and will therefore not be tolerated.

Where a minimum age of 16 years is permitted underlocal law for admission to employment in hazardous

1 see ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of ChildLabour.

Heraeus Human Rights Policy

2/3f. Non-discrimination
Heraeus denounces, and does not tolerate, any form ofdiscrimination, harassment, retaliation or prejudice (disadvantage) on grounds of race, color, national origin,ancestry, citizenship status, gender, religious or philosophical belief, handicap, age or sexual identity, sexualexpression, marital status, medical condition, and any othercharacteristic protected by countries where Heraeus acts asemployer.
In particular, Heraeus does not tolerate any form of discrimination in the workplace in relation to hiring,
remuneration, overtime, access to training, promotion,
termination of employment and retirement.
g. Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Within the limits permitted by applicable mandatory law, allemployees are free to set up or join trade unions orequivalent representative organizations and to exercise theirright to collective bargaining.
h. Prohibition of the unlawful taking of land and theinappropriate use of security forces
Heraeus denounces the unlawful taking of land and unlawfuleviction. The use of private or public security forces is
prohibited if, due to a lack of control, such use results in theinhumane treatment of employees, injury to life and limb or
the impairment of the freedom of association and union.
i. Workplace safety
All employees, in particular managers, must comply with themandatory rules and regulations on safety in the workplaceand in employment so as to ensure overall safety. Heraeus
offers a working environment that allows employees to report
inappropriate or unsafe working conditions to the Heraeus
management without fear of discrimination or retaliation.

▪ to manage the negative impact of the detected risks if
the impact derives from direct or indirect activities of
Heraeus.
b. Monitoring observance of human rights
In order to verify the observance of human rights by
Heraeus' contracting partners in the precious metal supply
chain, a due diligence process has been established at
Heraeus which includes, without limitation, the following
measures:▪ informing contracting partners of the applicable
Heraeus human rights policies;▪ verification of the contracting partners’ compliancewith local human rights laws by way of document
analyses;▪ performance of site visits (mines) and, if possible, ofguided interviews with employees, to assess theemployees' work situation and workplace conditions
unless independent third-party reports are available;▪ provision of clarifying statements in the event of
doubts and/or suspicions regarding the violation ofhuman rights;▪ refusal to enter into a new business relationship, ortermination of an existing business relationship, if
inacceptable violations are detected which cannot beresolved or corrected and which are inconsistent withthe principles adopted by the Heraeus Group.
A more detailed description of the management systemfor the monitoring of suppliers and, in particular, ofHeraeus’ contracting partners in the precious metal
supply chain is provided in the Heraeus Supply Chain DueDiligence Policy.

4. HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE IN THE PRECIOUS
METALS SUPPLY CHAIN (UPSTREAM ANDDOWNSTREAM)

Heraeus reasonably ensures that the precious metals in its
supply chain originate from legal and ethical sources, thatthe precious metals are not associated with crimes, armed
conflicts or human rights abuses and that they will not be
used for money laundering, financing terrorism, tax evasion,fraud or any other crime.
a. Objectives of human rights due diligence
Human rights due diligence at Heraeus is an integral part of
Heraeus' general due diligence process and its objective is:▪ to identify and assess the risk of violation of humanrights;▪ to prevent and mitigate the negative impact of thedetected risks if these risks are directly or indirectly
linked to the activities of Heraeus;

Heraeus Human Rights Policy

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