Seco's Ethical Sourcing: A Comprehensive Due Diligence Process

Ethical supply chains Responsible sourcing of minerals and metals at Seco

2025-05-19 Source: Seco Tools 2 min Reading Time

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To address growing expectations around ethical supply chains, Seco has implemented a comprehensive due diligence process for sourcing minerals such as tungsten, tantalum, and cobalt. Aligned with OECD guidelines, the company’s five-step approach promotes transparency and helps reduce human rights and environmental risks.

To ensure Seco is sustainable in every way, the company has aligned its sourcing approach with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Guidance). (Source: Seco Tools) — To ensure Seco is sustainable in every way, the company has aligned its sourcing approach with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Guidance).
(Source: Seco Tools)

Cutting tool manufacturer Seco sources key materials such as tungsten, tantalum, tin, gold, and cobalt with a focus on compliance with international standards for responsible business conduct. These standards require companies to assess and address potential human rights and environmental risks throughout their supply chains.

In line with these expectations, the company integrates due diligence practices into its sourcing processes to help ensure that materials are obtained under conditions that respect both social and environmental considerations.

To ensure Seco is sustainable in every way, the company has aligned its sourcing approach with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Guidance). This approach includes a structured, five-step, risk-based due diligence process:

Step 1 – Establishing a strong due diligence management system

Seco has set clear standards through its Statement on Responsible Sourcing of Minerals and Metals and its Supplier Code of Conduct. These documents define expectations for ethical supply chains.

Step 2 – Identifying and assessing potential supply chain risks

Seco asks suppliers to share information about their sourcing, so they can identify any red flags. This helps them focus in their efforts where they’re most needed.

Step 3 – Reviewing supplier declarations and risk assessment results

After checking the information, Seco decides what to do next — maybe they keep working with the supplier, ask them to improve, or, in serious cases, end the business relationship.

Step 4 – Ensuring compliance with third-party audit programs

Seco requires mineral smelters in its supply chain to comply with recognized audit programs. The audit results also guide them in mitigating potential risks within its suppliers.

Step 5 – Reporting and transparency

The cutting tool manufacturer publicly disclose its due diligence practices annually. The latest report is available on the Sandvik web page for Responsible Sourcing of Minerals and Metals.

New Seco sustainable packaging (Source: Seco Tools)

Supporting customers and suppliers

To support both customers and suppliers, Seco guarantees:

Compliance with EU Regulation 2017/821, setting due diligence rules for importers of certain minerals from high-risk areas.

Support customers in meeting the SEC Conflict Minerals Rule under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Experts provide training and advice to suppliers on best practices for ethical sourcing.

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