LITHIUM OFFTAKE AGREEMENT (PHASE TWO) by and between LITHIUM NEVADA LLC LITHIUM AMERICAS CORP. and GENERAL MOTORS HOLDINGS LLC December 20, 2024
Certain identified information in this agreement denoted with “[***]” has been excluded from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K because it is both not material and of the type that the registrant treats as private and confidential.
Exhibit 10.10
LITHIUM OFFTAKE AGREEMENT (PHASE TWO)
by and between
LITHIUM NEVADA LLC
and
GENERAL MOTORS HOLDINGS LLC
December 20, 2024
LITHIUM OFFTAKE AGREEMENT (PHASE TWO)
This Lithium Offtake Agreement (Phase Two) (this “Agreement”) is dated as of December 20, 2024 (the “Execution Date”) and is among General Motors Holdings LLC (“GM”), Lithium Americas Corp. (“LAC Parent”), and Lithium Nevada LLC (“Supplier”). GM, LAC Parent and Supplier are sometimes referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
A. LAC Parent is developing a lithium mine at the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass lithium project in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass, Nevada, (the “Project”) the initial phase (“Phase One”) of which is expected to, at optimal anticipated production capacity, have an output of approximately 40,000 tonnes of lithium product per year and GM, Supplier and LAC Parent have entered into that certain Lithium Offtake Agreement dated February 16, 2023, for the Product produced at Phase One, which was assigned by LAC Parent to Supplier and was amended (as such agreement may be further amended, assigned or supplemented from time to time, the “Phase One Offtake Agreement”).
B. Supplier is developing an expansion phase at the Project which is anticipated to be a second production facility on or around the site of Phase One, such expansion is currently contemplated to have an optimal anticipated production capacity of approximately an additional 40,000 tonnes of lithium product per year (“Phase Two”).
C. GM desires to, directly and indirectly through its Designated Purchasers (as defined below), purchase lithium carbonate (“Product”) from Phase Two of the Project (the “Phase Two Product”) from Supplier.
D. The Parties desire to establish and structure a supply relationship such that GM and/or its Designated Purchasers will purchase from Supplier, and Supplier will produce, sell, and deliver to GM and/or its Designated Purchasers, the Product, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and all exhibits hereto including, but not limited to, the General Terms and Conditions attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “General Terms”).
E. LAC Parent or one of its subsidiaries and GM are joint venture participants in the Supplier pursuant to that certain limited liability company agreement of Lithium Nevada Ventures LLC (the “JV Agreement”).
F. LAC Parent and Supplier are collectively referred to herein as the “LAC Parties”.
G. The Supplier has obtained debt financing in connection with developing Phase One pursuant to a Loan and Reimbursement Agreement dated October 28, 2024, obtained from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program administered by the Loan Programs Office of the Department of Energy.
BASED UPON THE FOREGOING RECITALS and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The effective date of this Agreement shall be the Execution Date. The commercial terms of purchase and sale set forth in this Agreement shall become operative as of the Phase Two Effective Date (as defined below), provided that:
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Reference Price (US $/t) |
Discount |
$15,000 - $24,999 |
[***]% |
$25,000 - $34,999 |
[***]% |
> $35,000 |
[***]% |
For illustration purposes only, if the Reference Price for Product for the prior calendar quarter was $37,500 per tonne, the Discount would be calculated as follows:
Discount = (24,999-15,000)*[***]% + (34,999-25,000)*[***]% + (37,500-35,000)*[***]% = $[***] or [***]%
Discount selling price = $37,500 - $[***] = $[***] per tonne
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Supplier covenants and agrees that no portion of the lithium will be extracted, processed or recycled by a foreign entity of concern, as such term is defined in Section 30D of the Code. Supplier will provide attestations, signed by an officer of Supplier, that such lithium was not extracted, processed or recycled by a foreign entity of concern under Section 30D of the Code. Such attestation shall be in form and substance acceptable to GM and consistent to satisfy GM’s obligations under Section 30D of the Code, including any regulations, notices or guidance thereunder.
GM will have access and information rights to Supplier’s Phase Two Production Facility and mine location and Supplier will permit GM and the Designated Purchasers a minimum of four (4) aggregated and a maximum of eight (8) aggregated site visits to the Phase Two Production Facility (only) per year. GM will comply with all health and safety regulations of Supplier. Such site visits will be at the sole risk, cost and expense of GM. GM shall give Supplier a minimum of 72 hours prior written notice in advance of each site visit. Each such site visit shall not interfere with the operations of Supplier. To the extent Supplier changes or adds a new lithium processing location in accordance with Section 10.1 of this Agreement, GM’s rights pursuant to this Section 11.1 shall also apply to such additional locations. These access and information rights shall include access to Supplier’s
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premises and books and records for the purpose of auditing Supplier’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement and any Designated Purchaser Agreement (including, without limitation, charges under this Agreement and any Designated Purchaser Agreement) or inspecting or conducting an inventory of finished Products, work-in-process, raw materials, and all work or other items to be provided pursuant to this Agreement located at Supplier’s premises. Supplier will cooperate with GM and the Designated Purchasers so as to facilitate such audit, including, without limitation, by segregating and promptly producing such records as GM and any Designated Purchaser may reasonably request, and otherwise making records and other materials accessible to GM and any Designated Purchaser. Supplier will preserve all records pertinent to this Agreement and any Designated Purchaser Agreement, and Supplier’s performance under this Agreement and any Designated Purchaser Agreement, for a period of not less than one year after any GM Buyer’s final payment to Supplier under this Agreement and any Designated Purchaser Agreement. Any such audit or inspection conducted by GM and any Designated Purchaser or their representatives will not constitute acceptance of any Products (whether in progress or finished), relieve Supplier of any liability under this Agreement or any Designated Purchaser Agreement or prejudice any rights or remedies available to GM.
GM and Supplier will establish an ESG committee (the “ESG Committee”) to collaborate on key initiatives such as responsible sourcing. The ESG Committee will meet at least once per Quarter, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties.
The Supplier and GM shall meet at least once per calendar year during the Phase Two Term as reasonably appropriate on a date and location mutually agreeable to the Supplier and GM (each a “Review Meeting”). At each Review Meeting the Supplier and GM shall seek to address and discuss any outstanding issues under this Agreement, including without limitation, the reconciliation of purchase orders with respect to the then current Annual Quantity.
Supplier will use all reasonable endeavors to at all times comply with GM’s Supplier Code of Conduct, GM’s Human Rights Policy and GM’s Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy, attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D. Supplier also agrees to trace the source and origin of all components of the Product, and to provide to GM all information and documentation reasonably requested by GM resulting from such supply chain mapping.
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To the extent of any inconsistency between this Agreement, the Designated Purchaser Agreements, and the General Terms, such agreements will have the following order of precedence: (i) first, this Agreement, (ii) second, the General Terms, and (iii) third, the Designated Purchaser Agreements.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default by a Party, the non-defaulting Party (i.e. the Parties for the purposes of this Section, being the LAC Parties on the first hand and GM on the second hand) may elect to terminate this Agreement, for cause, in whole or in part, by notice of termination to the defaulting Party.
Any Event of Default by a Designated Purchaser pursuant to the terms of a Designated Purchaser Agreement shall not constitute a default by GM under this Agreement, and shall not constitute grounds for Supplier to terminate this Agreement.
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If given to GM: |
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General Motors Holdings LLC ▇▇▇▇▇: [***] |
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If given to LAC Parent: |
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Lithium Americas Corp. |
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If given to Supplier: |
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Lithium Nevada LLC |
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Supplier will put policies and process in place to obtain sourcing and origin information from sub-tier suppliers and include all such information in the Supply Chain Map upon receipt. Supplier will proactively, and on an ongoing basis, monitor the source and origin of all goods and material used in connection with this Agreement. Supplier must obtain GM’s prior written consent to the procurement of any goods or materials used in connection with this Agreement that originate or are otherwise extracted, processed, recycled, manufactured or assembled, in whole or in part:
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Supplier will comply with all applicable GM policies, as amended, relating to supply chain resiliency and compliance. Supplier will incorporate, and require its subcontractors at all tiers to incorporate, these terms and any applicable GM policy in its contract for goods or materials used in connection with this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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THEREFORE, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
Signed by:
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By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel |
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Lithium Nevada LLC |
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By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: |
President |
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General Motors Holdings LLC |
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By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Name: |
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain |
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[Signature Page to Lithium Offtake Agreement (Phase 2)]
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A: |
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General Terms and Conditions |
Exhibit B: |
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Designated Purchaser Agreement |
Exhibit C: |
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Phase Two Product Specifications |
Exhibit D: |
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GM’s Supplier Code of Conduct, GM’s Human Rights Policy and GM’s Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy |
Exhibit E: |
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Example of Seller Quarterly Production Forecast |
Exhibit F: |
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Example of Buyer Quarterly Production Forecast |
Exhibit G: |
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Summary of Section 2.3 to Section 2.7 |
Exhibit A
General Terms and Conditions
[See attached.]
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Supplier will comply, in all respects, with the shipping and packaging requirements agreed to by Buyer and Supplier and as incorporated in this Contract by reference. Supplier will (a) properly pack and mark Product in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country of manufacture, including, without limitation, laws and regulations governing the handling and transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous materials; (b) provide with each shipment packing slips with Buyer’s Contract and/or release number and date of first loading marked thereon; (c) promptly forward the original bill of lading or other shipping documents for each shipment in accordance with Buyer’s instructions; and (d) include on bills of lading or other shipping documents the correct classification of the goods. The marks on each package and identification of the goods on packing slips, bills of lading and invoices (when required) must be sufficient to enable Buyer to easily identify the goods purchased.
Supplier shall ship the Product FCA ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass (Incoterms 2020) or FCA an alternate location (an “Alternate Location”) provided in a writing sent from GM to Buyer (in the event Buyer is a Party other than GM) with a copy to Supplier. Title to and risk of loss of the Product shall transfer to Buyer at the time of first loading onto ▇▇▇▇▇’s transport of the Product by Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location. All risk for loss of Product after such first loading of the Product by Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location shall pass to Buyer and shall not be borne by Supplier.
Supplier will use its best efforts to ensure the uninterrupted supply of Product to Buyer notwithstanding any existence of a labor disruption.
None of the Parties will subcontract in whole or in part any of its obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any such consent will not release the applicable Party from, or limit, any of such Party’s obligations under this Contract. For clarity, it is understood and agreed that the operation of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass Project, including the loading of finished goods, may entail the use of subcontractors and such use shall not be in breach of this clause.
Supplier warrants and guarantees that the goods sold under this Contract shall be merchantable, conform with all Specifications, and are free and clear of all liens other than those that may arise by operation of law, that the goods will be released in connection with the Certificate of Analysis (“COA”) that Supplier will provide with all deliveries of goods to Buyer, and will comply with applicable laws (the “Warranty”). The Warranty (other than being merchantable and free and clear of all liens other than those that may arise by operation of law) does not extend to Off Spec Product
that is retained by Buyer. The duration of the Warranty will begin on the date the title and risk of loss for such goods passes to Buyer in accordance with Section 2 of this Contract (the “Title Transfer Date”) and end on the earlier of (the “Warranty End Date”): (a) [***] from the Title Transfer Date; or (b) upon incorporation of such goods into another product of Buyer to the extent such incorporation alters the goods so as to make the analysis required to validate the COA unachievable. Other than in the event of Supplier’s gross negligence or willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct, after the Warranty End Date, Supplier shall not be required to accept any claim with respect to the Warranty. ▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that to the extent practicable it shall notify Supplier within fifteen (15) Business Days of becoming aware that a Warranty Claim may be alleged by ▇▇▇▇▇. Except as expressly set forth in this Contract, the Warranty is irrevocable by Supplier, and Supplier may not limit or disclaim the Warranty.
In the event Buyer provides written notification to Supplier (the “Specification Notice”) of variation of Product from the Specifications, with such notice to be delivered within the later of: (a) 180 days of title passing from Supplier to Buyer as provided in Section 2; or (b) if the Product was stored unused at a facility reasonably acceptable to Supplier, within 45 days of the date the Product is removed from such storage (the “Cut Off Date”), Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase and take delivery of the relevant shipment; provided, however, Supplier and Buyer will consult each other and shall negotiate in good faith (for a period of five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery of the Specification Notice) whether Buyer will accept the Product with appropriate price reductions (the “Off Spec Product”) or whether Buyer shall return the Off Spec Product to Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass (or the Alternate Location if loaded at the Alternate Location), such return to be at the cost and expense of Supplier. If such negotiations do not culminate in agreement after the end of such period of five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery of the Specification Notice, Buyer shall immediately return the Off Spec Product to Supplier, such return to be at the cost and expense of Supplier. In all cases, Buyer and Supplier will work together in good faith to minimize return shipping costs. In the event Buyer provides Supplier with a Specification Notice after Buyer has paid for the Product, and such Product is returned to Supplier in accordance with this Section 5, Buyer shall receive either a refund of the amount paid for the Product or a credit from Supplier in the amount that was paid for the Product, provided, however, that if Supplier has replacement Product available, Buyer may elect to receive replacement Product instead of the refund or credit.
Product to be delivered hereunder (with the exception of Off Spec Product that is accepted by Buyer) shall not: (i) contain extraneous materials; (ii) contain elements or substances at levels or in concentrations dangerous or harmful to health, safety, the environment or generally considered in the lithium industry to be deleterious or harmful or (iii) Exhibit physical properties or characteristics which differ from industry standards for comparable products in the marketplace to a degree or in a manner which results in Buyer having to incur increased costs of transporting, storing or handling the Product (collectively, the “Prohibited Characteristics”). For greater certainty, the presence in Product of any element or compound in quantities within the ranges specified in the Product Specifications shall not constitute a Prohibited Characteristic. Both Parties understand the hazards and handling of the Product and will follow industry and local governmental practices and standards for handling.
At least ten (10) Business Days prior to, as well as in connection with, the shipment of the Product from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location, as the case may be, Supplier agrees to furnish to Buyer written warning and notice (including, without limitation, appropriate labels on the goods, containers and packing) of any dangerous goods or hazardous material that forms part of any shipment of Products, together with such special handling instructions as may be necessary to advise carriers, Buyer, and their respective employees of how to exercise that measure of care and precaution that will comply with any applicable laws or regulations and best prevent bodily injury or property damage in the handling, transportation, processing, use or disposal of the Products, containers and packing shipped to Buyer from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location.
Promptly after each shipment of goods from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location, as the case may be, Supplier will issue a single invoice for the shipped Products. Each invoice must comply with applicable law, if any, and include the following information: (a) amount due (in the currency specified in this Contract); (b) Contract number; (c) if applicable, purchase order number; (d) if applicable, the intra-EU VAT number; and (e) net weight of the goods.
Buyer will pay for the Product in accordance with the payment terms and in the currency specified elsewhere in this Contract. Payments may be made electronically (including, without limitation, by bank transfer or recorded bill of exchange, where applicable).
Credits or benefits resulting or arising from this Contract, including trade credits, export credits or the refund of duties, taxes or fees, will belong to Buyer to the extent Buyer pays such duties, taxes or fees directly or those duties, taxes, or fees are passed along to Buyer in the contract price. To the extent Supplier pays and does not pass along to Buyer such duties, taxes or fees, any applicable credits or refunds will belong to Supplier. Supplier will timely and accurately provide all information necessary (including written documentation and electronic transaction records) to permit Buyer to receive such benefits or credits, if Buyer pays such duties, taxes or fees either directly or indirectly, as well as to fulfill its import and, where required by this Contract, export customs related obligations, origin marking or labeling requirements and local content origin requirements, if any. Supplier will undertake such arrangements as necessary for the goods to be covered by any duty deferral or free trade zone program(s) of the country of import. Supplier will ensure compliance with the recommendations or requirements of all applicable Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), governmental security/anti-terrorism and enhanced border release programs (including, without limitation, the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)). At the request of Buyer or the appropriate Customs Authority, Supplier will certify in writing its compliance with the foregoing.
Unless otherwise provided in this Contract, the prices set forth in this Contract will be exclusive of all transactional taxes, including any sales, use, excise, services, value added tax, goods and services tax, or similar tax, and these taxes should be separately identified by Supplier in Supplier’s invoice, even if the tax rate is zero. Buyer will not be responsible for any transactional taxes charged by the Supplier that are not identified in this manner. Supplier shall separately state all charges for transactional taxes on its invoices (or other such documents). Additionally, Supplier shall provide Buyer with invoices in line with the applicable tax laws in its country to enable the Buyer to reclaim the transactional taxes and Supplier will provide such documentation no later than when the payment to which the invoice relates is due from Buyer. Supplier will be responsible for remitting the transactional tax to the applicable taxing authority except for those states or jurisdictions where Buyer has provided Supplier with an appropriate exemption certificate. Supplier will use reasonable efforts to apply for such exemptions where applicable. Supplier will not charge Buyer for any transactional taxes charged by a subcontracting supplier if such tax is recoverable by Supplier, or if not recoverable, it would have been, had the transaction been structured through other entities (either the Supplier’s or the Buyer’s affiliated companies). If transactional taxes are not recoverable by Supplier, Supplier agrees to provide detailed billing, customs or other documents as requested, which set out the transactional taxes paid or payable to any of the Buyer’s subcontracting supplier or to a taxing authority.
Supplier will investigate, defend, hold harmless and indemnify Buyer, its successors, its affiliates (collectively “Buyer Group”) and its dealers and customers against any actual or alleged claims of infringement or other assertions of proprietary rights violations (including patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design right, or other proprietary right, misuse, or misappropriation of trade secret) and resulting damages and expenses (including attorney’s and other professional fees) arising in any way in relation to the Products (collectively “IP claims”). The LAC Parties expressly waives any claim against Buyer Group that any such IP claims arose out of compliance with Buyer Group’s or its dealers’ or customers’ specification or direction.
The rights and remedies reserved to each Party in this Contract are cumulative with, and additional to, all other rights and remedies of each Party under applicable law or in equity. It is understood and agreed that for the purposes of this Section 11 (Remedies; Indemnity), Section 12 (Force Majeure), Section 15 (Confidentiality), Section 16 (Compliance with Laws), Section 17 (Termination For Cause) and Section 18 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction), LAC Parent and Supplier act as one Party.
Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Contract, and save in respect of: (i) liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (ii) liability for infringement or other proprietary rights violations (including patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design right, or other proprietary right, misuse, or misappropriation of trade secret) arising in any way in relation to the Product, neither Party shall in any circumstances be liable to the other Party as a result of its performance of, or failure to perform, this Contract or any provision
in this Contract, whether in contract, tort or breach of statutory duty or howsoever arising for (a) any loss of profit, anticipated profit or revenue (with respect to the foregoing, save and except for failures by Buyer to make payments for Product as anticipated by this Contract, the losses for which are specifically not excluded and are included), any loss of savings or anticipated savings, any loss of production, any loss of use, any loss of contract or business opportunity, any loss of or damage to goodwill or any business interruption, whether of a direct or indirect nature, (b) any special, indirect and/or consequential losses, or (c) punitive, exemplary or special damages.
Each Party (a “First Party”) will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party against any liability, claim, demand and expense (including, without limitation, legal and other professional fees) arising from or relating to any failure of the First Party to fully perform any of its obligations under this Contract.
Any delay or failure of either Party to perform its obligations under this Contract will be excused to the extent that Supplier is unable to produce, sell or deliver, or Buyer is unable to accept delivery, buy or use, the goods or services covered by this Contract, directly as the result of an event or occurrence beyond the reasonable control of such Party, without such Party’s fault or negligence (a “force majeure event”), including, if applicable, actions by any governmental authority (whether valid or invalid), fires, floods, windstorms, explosions, riots, natural disasters, wars and sabotage; provided that written notice of such force majeure event (including the anticipated duration of the delay) must be given by the affected Party to the other Party as soon as possible (but in no event more than 20 days after the force majeure event occurs).
During any force majeure event affecting Supplier’s performance, Buyer may, at its sole option: (i) purchase Product from other sources, without liability to Supplier; and/or (ii) reduce the volumes set forth in any forecast by the amount of Product purchased from such other sources; provided that Supplier may sell Product to third parties to the extent of such Buyer purchases from other sources.
The affected Party will use all diligent efforts to ensure that the effects of any force majeure event are minimized and, as promptly as possible, resume full performance under this Contract. If the delay lasts more than twelve (12) months from notice of the force majeure event being given, either Party may immediately terminate this Contract without liability to either Party.
Supplier will maintain insurance coverage as would a prudent mine operator in the State of Nevada. Supplier shall insure its interest in the Product for full value for damage or loss arising until title and risk pass to the Buyer as provided in Section 2 with an insurance company rated ‘A-’ or higher by AM Best.
Buyer does not expect to receive any confidential technical or other information (the “Non-Contract Information”) from the LAC Parties, and Buyer will not be subject to confidentiality or nondisclosure obligations with respect to any such information (including under Section 15 hereof)
unless the LAC Parties and Buyer have agreed to confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations in a writing signed by their respective authorized representatives that expressly applies to such Non-Contract Information (a “Standalone CA”). The LAC Parties agree not to assert any claim (other than for breach of a Standalone CA) with respect to any Non-Contract Information that the LAC Parties have disclosed or may hereafter disclose to Buyer or its affiliates and subsidiaries.
The Parties agree that the contents of this Contract are confidential and not intended for use or dissemination by either Party without the express written consent of the other Party. For the purposes of this Section 15 a Party making disclosure together with its affiliates and representatives is a “Disclosing Party” and the non-Disclosing Party is an “Affected Party”.
A Disclosing Party may disclose the existence and terms of this Contract (the “Disclosure Exceptions”): (i) to the extent required by law (including the rules of any applicable stock exchange), or by any governmental agency or required or requested to be disclosed pursuant to legal process (including discovery requests) or in connection with any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding involving either of the Parties, provided that the Disclosing Party shall (A) immediately upon receiving notice that it is required to make a disclosure under law or stock exchange rules, give the Affected Party prior written notice and an opportunity of not less than 48 hours for the Affected Party to review and comment on the requisite disclosure before it is made, including an opportunity for the Affected Party to prevent such disclosure, (B) use its best efforts to incorporate the Affected Party’s comments or limit such disclosure, by seeking confidential treatment or otherwise, and (C) promptly provide the Affected Party with notice of any requirement to provide any such information, regardless of when such disclosure shall be made; (ii) to the extent necessary to enforce this Contract including, without limitation, for the purposes of dispute resolution as set forth in Section 18; (iii) to any designated purchaser, employee, officer, director, agent, affiliate, representative, lawyer, investor, broker, potential transferee, financier, partner, member, shareholder or actual or potential financing source of the Disclosing Party or that Disclosing Party’s affiliates (but not its representatives) provided that any such person or entity must be, prior to the disclosure, subject to confidentiality obligations that are the same as or more restrictive than the confidentiality obligations in this Contract and that the Disclosing Party disclosing such information to them will be responsible for any breach thereof; and (iv) to the extent such information is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Disclosing Party in violation of this Contract.
Unless required by applicable law or pursuant to any rules or regulations of any applicable securities exchange, neither Party will in any manner, without first obtaining the other Party’s consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed: (i) advertise or publish the fact that Supplier has contracted to furnish Buyer the Product; (ii) use the other Party’s trademarks, trade names or confidential information in such Party’s advertising or promotional materials; or (iii) use the other Party’s trademarks, trade names or confidential information in any form of electronic communication such as web sites (internal or external), blogs or other types of postings, except as may be required to perform hereunder or as required by law. Any announcement made by the Parties in relation to the execution of this Contract will be agreed in advance by the Parties.
Supplier, and any goods or services supplied by Supplier, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, will comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, conventions, ordinances or standards of the country(ies) of destination or that relate to the manufacture, labeling, transportation, importation, exportation, licensing, approval or certification of the Product, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental matters, the handling and transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous materials, data protection and privacy, wages, hours and conditions of employment, subcontractor selection, discrimination, occupational health/safety and motor vehicle safety. Supplier, in all respects, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, further represent that neither they nor any of their subcontractors, vendors, agents or other associated third parties will utilize child, slave, prisoner or any other form of forced or involuntary labor, or engage in abusive employment or corrupt business practices, in the supply of Product under this Contract. Supplier, in all respects, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, agree to comply with all applicable anti-corruption laws, including, without limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act, and that neither they nor any of their subcontractors, vendors, agents or other associated third parties will engage in any form of commercial bribery, nor directly or indirectly provide or offer to provide, anything of value to or for the benefit of, any official or employee of a governmental authority or of any government-owned, government-controlled or government-affiliated entity to obtain or retain any contract, business opportunity or other business benefit, or to influence any act or decision of that person in his/her official capacity. At Buyer’s request, Supplier will certify in writing its compliance with the foregoing.
Upon the occurrence of any of the following “Events of Default” by a Party, the non-defaulting Party may elect to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, by notice of termination to the defaulting Party and the expiration of any applicable cure period provided below: (a) Either Party repudiates or materially breaches its obligations, or refuses to materially perform its obligations, under this Contract, and if such breach is capable of being cured within twenty (20) Business Days, such breach is not cured by the breaching Party within twenty (20) Business Days of written notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default being provided by the other Party; or (b) Any secured or lien creditor commences a foreclosure action of its liens, security interests and/or mortgages in or against a material portion of a Party’s assets or a Party: (A) commences, or has commenced against it, any case, proceeding or other action under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other liquidation, bankruptcy, conservatorship, moratorium, receivership, insolvency, rearrangement, reorganization or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or any other applicable jurisdictions in effect from time to time, seeking (i) to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, (ii) to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, (iii) to commence or implement any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (iv) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets; or (B) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors (collectively, an “Insolvency Event”).
This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, excluding the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), and without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any action, dispute or proceeding seeking to
enforce any provision of, or based on any right arising solely out of, this Contract (collectively, “Disputes”) shall be first handled pursuant to the following escalation process. Any Party may submit its position on any Dispute in writing to the other Party and such other Party shall, within five (5) Business Days thereafter, submit its position on the Dispute in writing to the first Party. As promptly as practicable, but no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter, the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations to attempt to resolve the Dispute. If those negotiations do not resolve the Dispute within fifteen (15) Business Days after the first Party’s submission, then either Party may require that the Dispute be submitted, in writing to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain of Buyer and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ of Supplier (or, in each case, their functional successors), who shall negotiate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to expeditiously resolve the Dispute for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after that submission, unless ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain of ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ of Supplier (or in each case their functional successors) mutually agree to extend such period of negotiation. Any agreement pertaining to a Dispute shall be reduced to writing, be signed by the Parties and be final and binding upon the Parties. All negotiations pursuant to this Section 18 shall be confidential, and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. In the event that a Dispute has not been resolved after the use of the escalation procedures set forth above, then either Party may initiate the arbitration process. The Dispute shall be submitted to and settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York in accordance with the Administered Arbitration Rules of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, and such arbitration shall be in English. For disputes that involve alleged losses that do not exceed $25 million, the Parties shall mutually agree on a single arbitrator within a period of five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice that the other Party has referred a Dispute to arbitration, and if the Parties cannot agree upon the single arbitrator within such period of five (5) Business Days, the single arbitrator shall be appointed as promptly as practicable by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution. For disputes that involve alleged losses that exceed $25 million, each Party shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice that the other Party has referred a Dispute to arbitration, appoint one nominating arbitrator and such nominating arbitrators shall together select within five (5) Business Days a neutral arbitrator who will conduct the arbitration. If such nominating arbitrators are not able to select a neutral arbitrator, the neutral arbitrator shall be appointed as promptly as practicable by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution. The costs of the arbitrator shall be in the cause. The single arbitrator or the one neutral arbitrator shall make a decision within sixty (60) days of the arbitrator’s appointment. The arbitrator shall not be empowered to award punitive or exemplary damages. The award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and the judgement on the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. All Disputes shall be settled in this manner in lieu of an action at law or equity; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 18 shall be construed as precluding the bringing of an action for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief or other equitable relief. Each Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court, (ii) agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (iii) agrees that service of any court paper may be effected on such Party in any manner as may be provided under applicable laws or court rules of the State of New York.
Exhibit B
Designated Purchaser Agreement
[See attached]
DESIGNATED PURCHASER AGREEMENT
This Designated Purchaser Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated , 202_ (“Effective Date”) and is between Lithium Nevada LLC. (“Supplier”) and (“Purchaser”). Supplier and Purchaser hereinafter may be referred to individually as a “Party” or together as the “Parties.”
Recitals
WHEREAS, General Motors Holdings LLC ( “GM”) and Supplier are parties to a purchase contract (Phase Two) (the “Offtake Agreement”) pursuant to which Supplier manufactures and supplies lithium carbonate (the “Products”) that meets the Specifications (as defined below) for use in lithium-ion batteries manufactured for GM and to be incorporated by GM into vehicles produced in North America (“Batteries”);
WHEREAS, GM and Purchaser are parties, directly or indirectly, to a purchase contract pursuant to which purchaser supplies to GM components for Batteries (the “GM-Purchaser Contract”), which contract has not been and shall not be seen by Supplier and so no implication in and to Supplier can be derived therefrom;
WHEREAS, GM and Purchaser have agreed, in connection with the GM-Purchaser Contract, that GM may designate Purchaser as a Designated Purchaser (as defined in the Offtake Agreement) under the Offtake Agreement, which such Offtake Agreement has not been and shall not be seen by Purchaser and so no implication in and to Purchaser can be derived therefrom;
WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to purchase and Supplier desires to sell to Purchaser the Products; and
WHEREAS, Supplier and Purchaser agree to respectively sell and buy the Products on the terms set forth in this Agreement and all exhibits hereto including, but not limited to, the General Terms and Conditions attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “General Terms and Conditions”).
Agreement
The Parties agree as follows:
1. Term and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall terminate upon notice to Purchaser from GM or Supplier of the earlier to occur of (a) expiration or termination of the Offtake Agreement; (b) termination by GM of Purchaser’s designation as a Designated Purchaser under the Offtake Agreement; or (c) revocation by Supplier of Purchaser’s approval as a Designated Purchaser under the Offtake Agreement (the “Term”). Any payment obligations owing from Purchaser to Supplier for Products pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
2. Specifications. The specifications for the Products (the “Specifications”) are attached hereto as Annex A. Any new Specifications, and any modifications or amendments to the Specifications shall be communicated by GM to Supplier and Purchaser.
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3. Quantity. Purchaser shall purchase from Supplier the quantity of Product directed by GM for Purchaser’s use in Battery components for GM vehicles. Purchaser may only use Products purchased pursuant to this Agreement for production of Battery components for GM and not for any other use or purpose.
4. Pricing. The price of Products (the “Product Price”) received by Purchaser during any calendar year quarter during the Term will be communicated by GM to Purchaser. The Product Price will be exclusive of any applicable sales or other similar tax, if any, that is required by law to be added to the sales price. Any adjustments to the Product Price will be prospective only and in no event will Purchaser be obligated to pay any retrospective price increase.
5. Ordering Process. Purchaser may from time to time submit purchase orders— including blanket purchase orders—to Supplier (the “Purchase Orders”) and issue releases for Products to Supplier.1 This Agreement, including any exhibits hereto, shall be expressly incorporated into any Purchase Orders.
6. Payment Terms. Purchaser shall pay for all Products purchased hereunder net thirty (30) days after Purchaser’s receipt of the Products at Purchaser’s facility but not later than ninety (90) days after first loading of the Product at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location (as defined in the General Terms and Conditions). If any payment due under this Agreement is not paid when due in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and Supplier has provided written notice of such non-payment to Purchaser and Purchaser has failed to cure such non-payment within five (5) Business Days of receipt of such notice from Supplier, Supplier shall have the right to suspend, without any prejudice to any of Supplier’s other rights and remedies under this Agreement, any ongoing supply of Product under this Agreement until such payment is made.
7. Access to Information. Purchaser will have access and information rights to Supplier’s Phase Two Production Facility location. To the extent Purchaser wishes to exercise such rights, Purchaser shall coordinate the exercise of such rights with GM. In the event of any site visit by Purchaser, Purchaser will comply with all health and safety regulations of Supplier.
8. Non-Assignment. Under no circumstances may Purchaser transfer, assign or delegate, in whole or in part, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any right of payment), whether directly or indirectly, by merger, acquisition or contribution to a joint venture. Supplier may transfer, assign or delegate, in whole or in part, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any right of payment), whether directly or indirectly, solely in connection with an assignment of its rights pursuant to the Offtake Agreement, and Supplier shall provide Purchaser with written notice of any such assignment within five (5) business days thereof.
9. Authority. Each of the representatives executing this Agreement on behalf of the Parties represents and warrants that he or she possesses the corporate power and authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the respective Parties and that this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Parties. Each of the Parties represents and warrants that the execution and delivery by that Party of this Agreement, or compliance or performance by that Party with any of the provisions of this Agreement will not conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or
1 Supplier and GM to agree on ordering process prior to Supplier entering into any Designated Purchaser Agreement.
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default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under any provision of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or comparable organizational documents of that Party, any material contract of that Party, any judicial order applicable to that Party, or any applicable law, in each case, in existence as of the Effective Date.
10. Order of Preference. In the event of a conflict between or among any document relating to this Agreement, the applicable document will prevail as follows: (i) this Agreement; (ii) any Purchase Order in written form confirmed by Supplier; (iii) the General Terms and Conditions; and (iv) any other exhibits or schedules attached to and incorporated into the foregoing.
11. No Contra Proferentem. The Parties are competent and experienced in business, and have negotiated and reviewed this Agreement with their counsel. Any ambiguous language in this Agreement should therefore not be construed against either Party as the drafter of that language.
12. REPRESENTATIONS. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE BEFORE EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT AND ARE DOING SO WITHOUT DURESS, INTIMIDATION, OR COERCION AND WITHOUT RELIANCE UPON ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR COMMITMENTS OTHER THAN THOSE REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR COMMITMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.
13. Miscellaneous.
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14. Interpretation.
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[Signature Page to Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby executes this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
Lithium Nevada LLC
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Purchaser:
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[Signature Page to the Designated Purchaser Agreement]
Annex A
Specifications
[***]
Exhibit A
General Terms and Conditions
[See attached]
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Supplier will comply, in all respects, with the shipping and packaging requirements agreed to by Buyer and Supplier and as incorporated in this Contract by reference. Supplier will (a) properly pack and mark Product in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country of manufacture, including, without limitation, laws and regulations governing the handling and transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous materials; (b) provide with each shipment packing slips with Buyer’s Contract and/or release number and date of first loading marked thereon; (c) promptly forward the original bill of lading or other shipping documents for each shipment in accordance with Buyer’s instructions; and (d) include on bills of lading or other shipping documents the correct classification of the goods. The marks on each package and identification of the goods on packing slips, bills of lading and invoices (when required) must be sufficient to enable Buyer to easily identify the goods purchased.
Supplier shall ship the Product FCA ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass (Incoterms 2020) or FCA an alternate location (an “Alternate Location”) provided in a writing sent from GM to Buyer (in the event Buyer is a Party other than GM) with a copy to Supplier. Title to and risk of loss of the Product shall transfer to Buyer at the time of first loading onto ▇▇▇▇▇’s transport of the Product by Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location. All risk for loss of Product after such first loading of the Product by Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location shall pass to Buyer and shall not be borne by Supplier.
Supplier will use its best efforts to ensure the uninterrupted supply of Product to Buyer notwithstanding any existence of a labor disruption.
None of the Parties will subcontract in whole or in part any of its obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any such consent will not release the applicable Party from, or limit, any of such Party’s obligations under this Contract. For clarity, it is understood and agreed that the operation of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass Project, including the loading of finished goods, may entail the use of subcontractors and such use shall not be in breach of this clause.
Supplier warrants and guarantees that the goods sold under this Contract shall be merchantable, conform with all Specifications, and are free and clear of all liens other than those that may arise by operation of law, that the goods will be released in connection with the Certificate of Analysis (“COA”) that Supplier will provide with all deliveries of goods to Buyer, and will comply with
applicable laws (the “Warranty”). The Warranty (other than being merchantable and free and clear of all liens other than those that may arise by operation of law) does not extend to Off Spec Product that is retained by Buyer. The duration of the Warranty will begin on the date the title and risk of loss for such goods passes to Buyer in accordance with Section 2 of this Contract (the “Title Transfer Date”) and end on the earlier of (the “Warranty End Date”): (a) [***] from the Title Transfer Date; or (b) upon incorporation of such goods into another product of Buyer to the extent such incorporation alters the goods so as to make the analysis required to validate the COA unachievable. Other than in the event of Supplier’s gross negligence or willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct, after the Warranty End Date, Supplier shall not be required to accept any claim with respect to the Warranty. ▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that to the extent practicable it shall notify Supplier within fifteen (15) Business Days of becoming aware that a Warranty Claim may be alleged by ▇▇▇▇▇. Except as expressly set forth in this Contract, the Warranty is irrevocable by Supplier, and Supplier may not limit or disclaim the Warranty.
In the event Buyer provides written notification to Supplier (the “Specification Notice”) of variation of Product from the Specifications, with such notice to be delivered within the later of: (a) 180 days of title passing from Supplier to Buyer as provided in Section 2; or (b) if the Product was stored unused at a facility reasonably acceptable to Supplier, within 45 days of the date the Product is removed from such storage, but in any event not later than the Warranty End Date (the “Cut Off Date”), Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase and take delivery of the relevant shipment; provided, however, Supplier and Buyer will consult each other and shall negotiate in good faith (for a period of five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery of the Specification Notice) whether Buyer will accept the Product with appropriate price reductions (the “Off Spec Product”) or whether Buyer shall return the Off Spec Product to Supplier at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass (or the Alternate Location if loaded at the Alternate Location), such return to be at the cost and expense of Supplier. If such negotiations do not culminate in agreement after the end of such period of five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery of the Specification Notice, Buyer shall immediately return the Off Spec Product to Supplier, such return to be at the cost and expense of Supplier. In all cases, Buyer and Supplier will work together in good faith to minimize return shipping costs. In the event Buyer provides Supplier with a Specification Notice after Buyer has paid for the Product, and such Product is returned to Supplier in accordance with this Section 5, Buyer shall receive either a refund of the amount paid for the Product or a credit from Supplier in the amount that was paid for the Product, provided, however, that if Supplier has replacement Product available, Buyer may elect to receive replacement Product instead of the refund or credit.
Product to be delivered hereunder (with the exception of Off Spec Product that is accepted by Buyer) shall not: (i) contain extraneous materials; (ii) contain elements or substances at levels or in concentrations dangerous or harmful to health, safety, the environment or generally considered in the lithium industry to be deleterious or harmful or (iii) Exhibit physical properties or characteristics which differ from industry standards for comparable products in the marketplace to a degree or in a manner which results in Buyer having to incur increased costs of transporting, storing or handling the Product (collectively, the “Prohibited Characteristics”). For greater certainty, the presence in Product of any element or compound in quantities within the ranges specified in the Product Specifications shall not constitute a Prohibited Characteristic. Both Parties understand the hazards and handling of the Product and will follow industry and local governmental practices and standards for handling.
At least ten (10) Business Days prior to, as well as in connection with, the shipment of the Product from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location, as the case may be, Supplier agrees to furnish to Buyer written warning and notice (including, without limitation, appropriate labels on the goods, containers and packing) of any dangerous goods or hazardous material that forms part of any shipment of Products, together with such special handling instructions as may be necessary to advise carriers, Buyer, and their respective employees of how to exercise that measure of care and precaution that will comply with any applicable laws or regulations and best prevent bodily injury or property damage in the handling, transportation, processing, use or disposal of the Products, containers and packing shipped to Buyer from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location.
Promptly after each shipment of goods from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Pass or the Alternate Location, as the case may be, Supplier will issue a single invoice for the shipped Products. Each invoice must comply with applicable law, if any, and include the following information: (a) amount due (in the currency specified in this Contract); (b) Contract number; (c) if applicable, purchase order number; (d) if applicable, the intra-EU VAT number; and (e) net weight of the goods.
Buyer will pay for the Product in accordance with the payment terms and in the currency specified elsewhere in this Contract. Payments may be made electronically (including, without limitation, by bank transfer or recorded bill of exchange, where applicable).
Credits or benefits resulting or arising from this Contract, including trade credits, export credits or the refund of duties, taxes or fees, will belong to Buyer to the extent Buyer pays such duties, taxes or fees directly or those duties, taxes, or fees are passed along to Buyer in the contract price. To the extent Supplier pays and does not pass along to Buyer such duties, taxes or fees, any applicable credits or refunds will belong to Supplier. Supplier will timely and accurately provide all information necessary (including written documentation and electronic transaction records) to permit Buyer to receive such benefits or credits, if Buyer pays such duties, taxes or fees either directly or indirectly, as well as to fulfill its import and, where required by this Contract, export customs related obligations, origin marking or labeling requirements and local content origin requirements, if any. Supplier will undertake such arrangements as necessary for the goods to be covered by any duty deferral or free trade zone program(s) of the country of import. Supplier will ensure compliance with the recommendations or requirements of all applicable Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), governmental security/anti-terrorism and enhanced border release programs (including, without limitation, the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)). At the request of Buyer or the appropriate Customs Authority, Supplier will certify in writing its compliance with the foregoing.
Unless otherwise provided in this Contract, the prices set forth in this Contract will be exclusive of all transactional taxes, including any sales, use, excise, services, value added tax, goods and services tax, or similar tax, and these taxes should be separately identified by Supplier in Supplier’s invoice, even if the tax rate is zero. Buyer will not be responsible for any transactional taxes charged by the Supplier that are not identified in this manner. Supplier shall separately state all charges for transactional taxes on its invoices (or other such documents). Additionally, Supplier shall provide Buyer with invoices in line with the applicable tax laws in its country to enable the Buyer to reclaim the transactional taxes and Supplier will provide such documentation no later than when the payment to which the invoice relates is due from Buyer. Supplier will be responsible for remitting the transactional tax to the applicable taxing authority except for those states or jurisdictions where Buyer has provided Supplier with an appropriate exemption certificate. Supplier will use reasonable efforts to apply for such exemptions where applicable. Supplier will not charge Buyer for any transactional taxes charged by a subcontracting supplier if such tax is recoverable by Supplier, or if not recoverable, it would have been, had the transaction been structured through other entities (either the Supplier’s or the Buyer’s affiliated companies). If transactional taxes are not recoverable by Supplier, Supplier agrees to provide detailed billing, customs or other documents as requested, which set out the transactional taxes paid or payable to any of the Buyer’s subcontracting supplier or to a taxing authority.
Supplier will investigate, defend, hold harmless and indemnify Buyer, its successors, its affiliates (collectively “Buyer Group”) and its dealers and customers against any actual or alleged claims of infringement or other assertions of proprietary rights violations (including patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design right, or other proprietary right, misuse, or misappropriation of trade secret) and resulting damages and expenses (including attorney’s and other professional fees) arising in any way in relation to the Products (collectively “IP claims”). The LAC Parties expressly waives any claim against Buyer Group that any such IP claims arose out of compliance with Buyer Group’s or its dealers’ or customers’ specification or direction.
It is understood and agreed that for the purposes of this Section 11 (Remedies; Indemnity), Section 12 (Force Majeure), Section 15 (Confidentiality), Section 16 (Compliance with Laws), Section 17 (Termination For Cause) and Section 18 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction), LAC Parent and Supplier act as one Party. The rights and remedies reserved to each Party in this Contract are cumulative with, and additional to, all other rights and remedies of each Party under applicable law or in equity.
Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Contract, and save in respect of: (i) liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (ii) liability for infringement or other proprietary rights violations (including patent, trademark, copyright, industrial design right, or other proprietary right, misuse, or misappropriation of trade secret) arising in any way in relation to the Product, neither Party shall in any circumstances be liable to the other Party as a result of its performance of, or failure to perform, this Contract or any provision
in this Contract, whether in contract, tort or breach of statutory duty or howsoever arising for (a) any loss of profit, anticipated profit or revenue (with respect to the foregoing, save and except for failures by Buyer to make payments for Product as anticipated by this Contract, the losses for which are specifically not excluded and are included), any loss of savings or anticipated savings, any loss of production, any loss of use, any loss of contract or business opportunity, any loss of or damage to goodwill or any business interruption, whether of a direct or indirect nature, (b) any special, indirect and/or consequential losses, or (c) punitive, exemplary or special damages.
Each Party (a “First Party”) will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party against any liability, claim, demand and expense (including, without limitation, legal and other professional fees) arising from or relating to any failure of the First Party to fully perform any of its obligations under this Contract.
Any delay or failure of either Party to perform its obligations under this Contract will be excused to the extent that Supplier is unable to produce, sell or deliver, or Buyer is unable to accept delivery, buy or use, the goods or services covered by this Contract, directly as the result of an event or occurrence beyond the reasonable control of such Party, without such Party’s fault or negligence (a “force majeure event”), including, if applicable, actions by any governmental authority (whether valid or invalid), fires, floods, windstorms, explosions, riots, natural disasters, wars and sabotage; provided that written notice of such force majeure event (including the anticipated duration of the delay) must be given by the affected Party to the other Party as soon as possible (but in no event more than 20 days after the force majeure event occurs).
During any force majeure event affecting Supplier’s performance, Buyer may, at its sole option: (i) purchase Product from other sources, without liability to Supplier; and/or (ii) reduce the volumes set forth in any forecast by the amount of Product purchased from such other sources.
The affected Party will use all diligent efforts to ensure that the effects of any force majeure event are minimized and, as promptly as possible, resume full performance under this Contract. If the delay lasts more than twelve (12) months from notice of the force majeure event being given, either Party may immediately terminate this Contract without liability to either Party.
Supplier will maintain insurance coverage as would a prudent mine operator in the State of Nevada. Supplier shall insure its interest in the Product for full value for damage or loss arising until title and risk pass to the Buyer as provided in Section 2 with an insurance company rated ‘A-’ or higher by AM Best.
Buyer does not expect to receive any confidential technical or other information (the “Non-Contract Information”) from the LAC Parties, and Buyer will not be subject to confidentiality or nondisclosure obligations with respect to any such information (including under Section 15 hereof) unless the LAC Parties and Buyer have agreed to confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations in a writing signed by their respective authorized representatives that expressly applies to such
Non-Contract Information (a “Standalone CA”). The LAC Parties agrees not to assert any claim (other than for breach of a Standalone CA) with respect to any Non-Contract Information that the LAC Parties has disclosed or may hereafter disclose to Buyer or its affiliates and subsidiaries.
The Parties agree that the contents of this Contract are confidential and not intended for use or dissemination by either Party without the express written consent of the other Party. For the purposes of this Section 15 a Party making disclosure together with its affiliates and representatives is a “Disclosing Party” and the non-Disclosing Party is an “Affected Party”.
A Disclosing Party may disclose the existence and terms of this Contract (the “Disclosure Exceptions”): (i) to the extent required by law (including the rules of any applicable stock exchange), or by any governmental agency or required or requested to be disclosed pursuant to legal process (including discovery requests) or in connection with any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding involving either of the Parties, provided that the Disclosing Party shall (A) immediately upon receiving notice that it is required to make a disclosure under law or stock exchange rules, give the Affected Party prior written notice and an opportunity of not less than 48 hours for the Affected Party to review and comment on the requisite disclosure before it is made, including an opportunity for the Affected Party to prevent such disclosure, (B) use its best efforts to incorporate the Affected Party’s comments or limit such disclosure, by seeking confidential treatment or otherwise, and (C) promptly provide the Affected Party with notice of any requirement to provide any such information, regardless of when such disclosure shall be made; (ii) to the extent necessary to enforce this Contract including, without limitation, for the purposes of dispute resolution as set forth in Section 18; (iii) to any designated purchaser, employee, officer, director, agent, affiliate, representative, lawyer, investor, broker, potential transferee, financier, partner, member, shareholder or actual or potential financing source of the Disclosing Party or that Disclosing Party’s affiliates (but not its representatives) provided that any such person or entity must be, prior to the disclosure, subject to confidentiality obligations that are the same as or more restrictive than the confidentiality obligations in this Contract and that the Disclosing Party disclosing such information to them will be responsible for any breach thereof; and (iv) to the extent such information is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Disclosing Party in violation of this Contract.
Unless required by applicable law or pursuant to any rules or regulations of any applicable securities exchange, neither Party will in any manner, without first obtaining the other Party’s consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed: (i) advertise or publish the fact that Supplier has contracted to furnish Buyer the Product; (ii) use the other Party’s trademarks, trade names or confidential information in such Party’s advertising or promotional materials; or (iii) use the other Party’s trademarks, trade names or confidential information in any form of electronic communication such as web sites (internal or external), blogs or other types of postings, except as may be required to perform hereunder or as required by law. Any announcement made by the Parties in relation to the execution of this Contract will be agreed in advance by the Parties.
Supplier, and any goods or services supplied by Supplier, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, will comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, conventions, ordinances or standards of the country(ies) of destination or that relate to the manufacture, labeling, transportation, importation, exportation, licensing, approval or certification of the Product, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental matters, the handling and transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous materials, data protection and privacy, wages, hours and conditions of employment, subcontractor selection, discrimination, occupational health/safety and motor vehicle safety. Supplier, in all respects, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, further represent that neither they nor any of their subcontractors, vendors, agents or other associated third parties will utilize child, slave, prisoner or any other form of forced or involuntary labor, or engage in abusive employment or corrupt business practices, in the supply of Product under this Contract. Supplier, in all respects, and Buyer, in connection with its obligations under this Contract, agree to comply with all applicable anti-corruption laws, including, without limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act, and that neither they nor any of their subcontractors, vendors, agents or other associated third parties will engage in any form of commercial bribery, nor directly or indirectly provide or offer to provide, anything of value to or for the benefit of, any official or employee of a governmental authority or of any government-owned, government-controlled or government-affiliated entity to obtain or retain any contract, business opportunity or other business benefit, or to influence any act or decision of that person in his/her official capacity. At Buyer’s request, Supplier will certify in writing its compliance with the foregoing.
Upon the occurrence of any of the following “Events of Default” by a Party, the non-defaulting Party may elect to terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, by notice of termination to the defaulting Party and the expiration of any applicable cure period provided below: (a) Either Party repudiates or materially breaches its obligations, or refuses to materially perform its obligations, under this Contract, and if such breach is capable of being cured within twenty (20) Business Days, such breach is not cured by the breaching Party within twenty (20) Business Days of written notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default being provided by the other Party; or (b) Any secured or lien creditor commences a foreclosure action of its liens, security interests and/or mortgages in or against a material portion of a Party’s assets or a Party: (A) commences, or has commenced against it, any case, proceeding or other action under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other liquidation, bankruptcy, conservatorship, moratorium, receivership, insolvency, rearrangement, reorganization or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or any other applicable jurisdictions in effect from time to time, seeking (i) to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, (ii) to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, (iii) to commence or implement any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (iv) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets; or (B) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors (collectively, an “Insolvency Event”).
This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, excluding the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), and without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any action, dispute or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any right arising solely out of, this Contract (collectively, “Disputes”) shall be first handled pursuant to the following escalation process. Any Party may submit its position on any Dispute in writing to the other Party and such other Party shall, within five (5) Business Days thereafter, submit its position on the Dispute in writing to the first Party. As promptly as practicable, but no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter, the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations to attempt to resolve the Dispute. If those negotiations do not resolve the Dispute within fifteen (15) Business Days after the first Party’s submission, then either Party may require that the Dispute be submitted, in writing to [_____] of ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ of Supplier (or, in each case, their functional successors), who shall negotiate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to expeditiously resolve the Dispute for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after that submission, unless [_____] of ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ of Supplier (or in each case their functional successors) mutually agree to extend such period of negotiation. Any agreement pertaining to a Dispute shall be reduced to writing, be signed by the Parties and be final and binding upon the Parties. All negotiations pursuant to this Section 18 shall be confidential, and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. In the event that a Dispute has not been resolved after the use of the escalation procedures set forth above, then either Party may initiate the arbitration process. The Dispute shall be submitted to and settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York in accordance with the Administered Arbitration Rules of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, and such arbitration shall be in English. For disputes that involve alleged losses that do not exceed $25 million, the Parties shall mutually agree on a single arbitrator within a period of five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice that the other Party has referred a Dispute to arbitration, and if the Parties cannot agree upon the single arbitrator within such period of five (5) Business Days, the single arbitrator shall be appointed as promptly as practicable by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution. For disputes that involve alleged losses that exceed $25 million, each Party shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice that the other Party has referred a Dispute to arbitration, appoint one nominating arbitrator and such nominating arbitrators shall together select within five (5) Business Days a neutral arbitrator who will conduct the arbitration. If such nominating arbitrators are not able to select a neutral arbitrator, the neutral arbitrator shall be appointed as promptly as practicable by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution. The costs of the arbitrator shall be in the cause. The single arbitrator or the one neutral arbitrator shall make a decision within sixty (60) days of the arbitrator’s appointment. The arbitrator shall not be empowered to award punitive or exemplary damages. The award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and the judgement on the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. All Disputes shall be settled in this manner in lieu of an action at law or equity; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 18 shall be construed as precluding the bringing of an action for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief or other equitable relief. Each Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court, (ii) agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (iii) agrees that service of any court paper may be effected on such Party in any manner as may be provided under applicable laws or court rules of the State of New York.
Exhibit C
Phase Two Product Specifications
[***]
Exhibit D
GM’s Supplier Code of Conduct, GM’s Human Rights Policy and GM’s Responsible
Minerals Sourcing Policy
[See attached.]
SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT
This Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) articulates General Motors Company’s (“GM”) expectations of the conduct of suppliers and business partners doing business with GM (“suppliers”). This Code is based on our corporate values for responsible and sustainable products and operations and aligns with the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, of which, GM is a signatory. Suppliers are expected to understand and act consistent with GM’s approach to integrity, responsible sourcing, and supply chain management. GM expects suppliers will cascade similar expectations through their own supply chains.
GM endeavors to do business with suppliers that meet our standards and behave consistently with, and positively reflect, GM’s values throughout the supply chain. GM expects that suppliers will satisfy contractual requirements, comply with laws, regulations, and GM policies and act consistently with the principles and values of our GM Code of Conduct, Winning with Integrity, and this Code.
HUMAN RIGHTS
GM expects all suppliers to have processes in place to prevent, mitigate, and take effective measures to remediate adverse human rights impacts. Suppliers are expected and required to adhere to and cascade GM’s Human Rights Policy or equivalent expectations throughout their supply chain.
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights serve as a guiding framework for GM’s work related to human rights. GM is also committed, and expects suppliers to commit, to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; the International Bill of Human Rights; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Suppliers are expected to comply with these internationally recognized standards.
Freely Chosen Employment
Suppliers and their employment agencies will not use slave, forced prisoner, bonded, indentured, or any other form of forced or involuntary labor. Suppliers will also not engage, directly or indirectly, in human trafficking. Suppliers will provide all workers with a written employment agreement or notification that contains a description of terms and conditions of employment as part of the hiring process, and foreign migrant workers will receive the employment agreement prior to the worker departing from their country of origin with no substitution or change(s) upon arrival in the receiving country except as required to meet local law. Employees must be free to terminate their employment without penalty.
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Freedom of Movement
Suppliers and their employment agencies will not impose restrictions on entering or exiting company-provided facilities including, if applicable, workers’ dormitories or living quarters, except when lawful and necessary for safety or security purposes. Suppliers will refrain from restricting workers’ movement through the retention of bank payment cards or similar arrangements for accessing wages. Suppliers will also refrain from requiring workers to use company-provided accommodation. Suppliers and their employment agencies, will not destroy, withhold, or conceal identity or immigration documents, such as government-issued identification, passports, or work permits.
Child Labor
Suppliers and their employment agencies will not use child labor. GM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of child labor. Suppliers will implement an appropriate mechanism to verify that the age of workers and workers recruited comply with the ILO Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) and will provide substantiation of this verification upon request. If child labor is discovered in its supply chain, suppliers will cease employment of the child/children and take reasonable measures to enroll the child/children in a remediation/education program. Suppliers will not use workers under the age of 18 (“young workers”) to perform work that is likely to jeopardize their health or safety. If young workers are found to be involved in work that is likely to jeopardize their health or safety, suppliers will take reasonable measures to immediately remove the young workers from the situation and provide alternative work that is age appropriate.
Working Hours
Suppliers will comply with local laws and collective bargaining agreements (where applicable) regarding working hours. Working hours must not exceed the maximum set by local law.
Wages and Benefits
Suppliers and their employment agencies will pay wages and provide benefits and compensation to workers that comply with all applicable wage laws and regulations, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours, medical leave, and legally mandated benefits, and in line with Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Suppliers will refrain from making any deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure or imposing any financial burdens on workers related to recruitment costs. For each pay period, suppliers will provide workers with a timely and understandable written wage statement that includes sufficient information to verify accurate compensation for work performed. Workers shall receive equal pay for equal work, including paying a fair wage that meets or exceeds legal minimum standards. All use of temporary, dispatch and outsourced labor shall be within the limits of the local law. In the absence of local law, the wage rate for student workers, interns, and apprentices should be at least a substantially similar wage rate as other entry-level workers performing equal or similar tasks. Workers must be paid directly, in a timely fashion, and in recognized currency. Suppliers will keep records of worker hours and wage documentation in accordance with local law.
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Humane Treatment
Suppliers will not engage in harsh or inhumane treatment including violence, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion, bullying, public shaming, or verbal abuse of workers; nor is there to be the threat of any such treatment. Suppliers will have disciplinary policies and procedures in place for any violations of these requirements that are clearly defined and communicated to workers.
Recruitment Practices
Suppliers will not require workers to pay suppliers’ agents’ or sub-agents’ recruitment fees or other related fees for their employment. Suppliers will provide full reimbursement to job seekers and workers if they have been required to pay any such fees or related costs. If necessary for a supplier to use a labor broker, the supplier will only use brokers that employ ethical recruitment practices, comply with applicable laws, and do not withhold identity documents.
Non-Discrimination/Non-Harassment
Suppliers will be committed to a workplace free of harassment and unlawful discrimination. Suppliers will not engage in discrimination, harassment, intimidation, violence, or other adverse actions to employees based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, marital status or any other basis prohibited by law including in hiring and employment practices such as wages, promotions, rewards, and access to training.
Freedom of Association
Suppliers will comply with and respect all applicable laws and ILO core conventions related to the rights of workers to form and join trade unions of their own choosing, to bargain collectively, to engage in peaceful assembly, as well as respect the right of workers to refrain from such activities. Suppliers will avoid any form of threats, intimidation, physical or legal attacks against stakeholders, including union members and union representatives, exercising their legal rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
Vulnerable Groups
Suppliers will commit to protect the rights of vulnerable groups within their businesses and supply chains, particularly the rights of women, indigenous peoples, children, and migrant workers. Suppliers will develop and implement internal measures to provide equal pay and opportunities throughout all levels of employment. Suppliers will also implement measures to address health and safety concerns that are particularly prevalent among women workers, including, but not limited to, preventing sexual harassment, offering physical security, and providing reasonable accommodation for nursing mothers.
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Human Rights Defenders
Human rights defenders are individuals or groups who act to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms through peaceful means. Suppliers will commit to neither tolerate nor contribute to threats, intimidation, or attacks against human rights defenders in relation to their operations to create safe and enabling environments for civic engagement and human rights at local, national, or international levels.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
GM encourages suppliers to develop and promote inclusive cultures where diversity is valued and celebrated and everyone is able to contribute fully and reach their full potential. Suppliers should encourage diversity in all levels of their workforce and leadership, including boards of directors.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Suppliers will provide clean, healthy, and safe working environments for their personnel that meet or exceed legal standards. Suppliers will have safety procedures for their employees and tracking tools that drive to a goal of zero workplace safety incidents. Supplier employees will have the right to refuse work and report any conditions that do not meet these criteria. Suppliers will also properly manage the health and safety of contractors performing work on supplier’s premises.
Occupational Safety
Suppliers will identify, assess, and mitigate worker potential for exposure to all health and safety hazards including eliminating the hazard, substituting processes or materials, controlling through proper design, implementing engineering and administrative controls, preventative maintenance, and safe work procedures (including lockout/tagout). Suppliers will provide ongoing occupational health and safety training, including prior to the beginning of work. Health and safety related information shall be clearly posted in the facility or placed in a location identifiable and accessible by workers. Where hazards cannot be adequately controlled by these means, suppliers will provide workers with appropriate, well-maintained, personal protective equipment (PPE) and associated training on how and when it needs to be applied. Suppliers will also provide communication and training to their workforce regarding the risks to them associated with these hazards.
Emergency Preparedness
Suppliers will work to actively identify and assess potential emergency situations and events and minimize their impact by implementing emergency plans and response procedures including emergency reporting, employee notification and evacuation procedures, worker training, and drills. Suppliers will execute emergency drills at least annually or as required by local law. Emergency plans should include appropriate fire detection and suppression equipment, clear and unobstructed egress, adequate exit facilities, contact information for emergency responders, and recovery plans.
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Physically Demanding Work
Suppliers will identify, evaluate, and control worker exposure to the hazards of physically demanding tasks, including manual material handling and heavy or repetitive lifting, prolonged standing, and highly repetitive or forceful assembly tasks.
Machine Safeguarding
Suppliers will evaluate production and other machinery for safety hazards. Physical guards, safeguarding devices, and barriers must be provided and properly maintained where machinery presents an injury hazard to workers.
Sanitation, Food, and Housing
Suppliers will take reasonable measures to provide workers with ready access to clean toilet facilities, potable water, and sanitary eating facilities. Any worker dormitories or living quarters provided by suppliers should also be maintained to be clean and safe, and provided with appropriate emergency egress, hot water for bathing and showering, adequate lighting and heat and ventilation, and individually secured accommodations for storing personal and valuable items.
Occupational Injury and Illness
Suppliers will have procedures and systems to prevent, investigate, root cause, manage, track, and report occupational injury and illness, including provisions to encourage worker reporting, classify and record injury and illness cases, provide necessary medical treatment, investigate cases, and implement corrective actions to eliminate their causes, and facilitate the return of workers to work.
Product Safety
Suppliers and contractors will promptly communicate any safety concern related to GM vehicles. “Speak Up for Safety” is a program that suppliers and contractors working on behalf of GM can use to report vehicle safety concerns and make suggestions to improve safety. Safety concerns or suggestions can be made at any time through the GM Awareline.
ENVIRONMENT
Responsible Stewardship
Suppliers will continually strive to protect the communities and environment that surround them. Suppliers will also continually strive to conserve natural resources including water, fossil fuels, minerals, and virgin forest products by practices such as modifying production, maintenance and facility processes, materials substitution, re-use, conservation, recycling, or other means. Suppliers should promote circularity and closed loop systems by supporting the use of sustainable, renewable natural resources while reducing emissions, pollution, and waste.
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Environmental Permits and Reporting
Suppliers will follow applicable local, national, and international environmental laws. Suppliers will obtain and keep current all required environmental permits, approvals, and registrations, follow their operational and reporting requirements, and will provide said documentation to GM upon request. GM encourages all suppliers to be bold and go beyond compliance obligations to integrate additional environmentally sustainable practices throughout the company.
Pollution Prevention
Suppliers will minimize or eliminate emissions and discharges of pollutants and generation of waste at the source or by practices such as adding pollution control equipment, modifying production, maintenance, and facility processes, or by other means. Suppliers will routinely monitor and disclose, appropriately control, minimize, and strive to eliminate contributing to pollution, as required by and in accordance with applicable law. Suppliers should assess cumulative impacts of pollution sources at their facilities.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Suppliers will continually strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Suppliers will track Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Upon request, suppliers will share Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions data with GM, and/or publish that data through GM’s preferred third-party. Suppliers shall establish time-bound emission reduction goals and shall strive to obtain approved science-based targets that are at a minimum aligned with GM’s Supplier Sustainability Partnership Pledge.
Other Air Emissions
Suppliers will follow applicable local, national, and international air pollution control laws. Suppliers will characterize, routinely monitor, control, and treat emissions of air pollutants as required by law. Ozone depleting substances must be effectively managed in accordance with the Montreal Protocol and applicable regulations. Suppliers will conduct routine monitoring of the performance of their air emission control systems. Hazardous air emissions shall be characterized, monitored, and controlled as required by permits and local, national, or international regulation. Suppliers will monitor performance of air emission control systems for effectiveness.
Hazardous Substances
Suppliers will identify, label, store, and manage chemicals, waste, and other materials posing a hazard to human health or the environment and will use safe handling, movement, storage, use, recycling or reuse, and disposal in compliance with GM requirements and international, national, and local laws. Suppliers will look for ways to reduce the use of hazardous materials and substances of concern within products and their manufacturing processes.
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Materials Restrictions
Suppliers will adhere to all applicable laws, regulations and GM requirements regarding restrictions and prohibitions of specific substances in products and manufacturing including labeling and disposal. If requested, suppliers will provide information or reports of the composition of all substances or materials supplied to GM.
Solid Waste
Suppliers will implement a systematic approach to identify, manage, reduce, and responsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste (non-hazardous).
Water Management
Suppliers will implement a water management program that documents, characterizes, and monitors water sources, use, and discharge; seeks opportunities to conserve water; and controls channels of contamination. Wastewater must be characterized, monitored, controlled, and treated as required prior to discharge or disposal. Suppliers will conduct routine monitoring of their wastewater treatment and containment systems for optimal performance and to meet regulatory compliance. Suppliers should effectively reuse and recycle water. Supplier should prevent unpermitted discharges and mitigate the potential impacts of such discharges and from flooding caused by rainwater run-off.
Animal Welfare
Suppliers will respect the welfare of animals and provide humane treatment in line with the five animal freedoms formalized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) concerning animal welfare which include: freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behavior. No animal should be raised and killed for the single purpose of being used in automotive products.
GM does not conduct or commission the use of animals in tests for research purposes or in the development of our vehicles, either directly or indirectly. Suppliers will not supply any raw materials, components, parts or assemblies to GM that involved testing on animals in its research or development.
Continuous Improvement
Suppliers will take measures to increase innovation and efficiency throughout their companies and reduce their carbon footprint, energy use, water use, material use, wastes, and other emissions. Suppliers should have a sustainable procurement policy in place to communicate sustainability expectations through the supply chain. Suppliers will set sustainability goals, accurately track results, and report on progress.
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RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Due Diligence
Suppliers will implement a policy committing to the responsible sourcing of all minerals and materials in line with GM’s Conflict Minerals Policy and Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy. These policies require conducting due diligence in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, including its current supplements on tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG). Suppliers will disclose to GM, as necessary, updated smelter/refiner information for any 3TG mineral used in the production of its parts, materials, components, and products. Suppliers will also engage with sub-tier suppliers to conduct due diligence by providing reporting templates or other information upon request.
Land Rights
Suppliers will respect the communities in which they are based and serve. Suppliers will respect the land rights of individuals, indigenous people, and local communities in accordance with local laws, the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169), and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Suppliers will respect the rights of local communities to decent living conditions, education, employment, social activities, and the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) to developments that affect them and the lands on which they live, with particular consideration for the presence of vulnerable groups. Suppliers should also protect ecosystems, especially key biodiversity areas, impacted by their operations, and avoid illegal deforestation in accordance with international biodiversity regulations, including the IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations on biodiversity. Suppliers should routinely monitor and control their impact on soil quality to prevent soil erosion, nutrient degradation, subsidence, and contamination. Suppliers should routinely monitor and control the levels of industrial noise to avoid noise pollution.
BUSINESS INTEGRITY
Anti-Corruption/Anti-Bribery
Suppliers will not tolerate corruption, bribery, money laundering, embezzlement, extortion, or fraud in any form. This includes giving or receiving anything of value, including money, gifts, or unlawful incentives to improperly influence negotiations or any other dealings with governments and government officials, customers, or any other third parties. Suppliers will implement monitoring, record keeping, and enforcement procedures to comply with anticorruption laws.
Disclosure of Information
Suppliers will accurately disclose information regarding their labor, health and safety, environmental practices, business activities, structure, financial situation, and performance in accordance with applicable regulations. All of supplier business dealings will be transparently performed and accurately reflected on the supplier's business books and records. Falsification of records or misrepresentation of conditions or practices in the supply chain are unacceptable.
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Intellectual Property
Suppliers will respect intellectual property rights. Transfer of technology and know-how must be done in a manner that protects intellectual property rights, and customer and supplier information must be safeguarded.
Counterfeit Parts
Suppliers will never utilize counterfeit components in any product supplied to GM. Suppliers will also minimize the risk of introducing diverted parts and materials into deliverable products and adhere to relevant technical regulations in the product design process.
Privacy
Suppliers will protect the reasonable privacy expectations of personal information of everyone they do business with, including suppliers, customers, consumers, and employees. Suppliers will comply with privacy and information security laws and regulatory requirements when personal information is collected, stored, processed, transmitted, and shared.
Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
Suppliers will comply with all applicable restrictions on the export, re-export, release or other transfer of goods, software, services, and technology; all applicable economic sanctions restrictions involving certain territories, entities and individuals (to include conducting appropriate due diligence on third parties); and all other similar trade-related laws and regulations.
Ethical Behavior
Suppliers will uphold the highest standards of integrity in all business interactions, including standards of fair business, advertising, and competition. Suppliers will avoid conflicts of interest and operate honestly and ethically throughout the supply chain and in accordance with applicable law, including those laws pertaining to anti-competitive business practices, respect for and protection of intellectual property, company and personal data, and export controls and economic sanctions. Suppliers will require that their employees avoid and disclose situations where their financial or other interests conflict with job responsibilities, or situations giving any appearance of impropriety.
Grievance Mechanisms and Non-Retaliation
Suppliers will provide a clearly communicated grievance mechanism, in local languages, for workers to utilize to report integrity concerns, human rights concerns, safety issues, and misconduct without fear of reprisal. Subject to any restrictions imposed by law, suppliers will provide workers with a safe, confidential, and anonymous environment to provide grievance and feedback and will reasonably protect whistleblower confidentiality. Suppliers will also have a process in place for subcontractors and the community associated with the supplier’s operations to raise concerns to the supplier. When creating such mechanisms, suppliers should consult potential or actual users on the design, implementation, or performance of the mechanism. Suppliers should periodically assess their grievance mechanism against the UN Guiding Principles’ effectiveness
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criteria. Suppliers will prohibit all forms of retaliation against those who raise concerns in good faith. Suppliers will also appropriately investigate reports and take corrective action, if needed. Suppliers will cascade these expectations through their own supply chain.
Reporting Concerns to GM
Subject to any restriction posed by law, suppliers will promptly inform GM of any concern related to issues governed by this Code and collaborate with GM in subsequent investigations. GM policy prohibits retaliation against any person reporting such a concern. To report a concern, suppliers can always speak directly to their GM Global Purchasing and Supply Chain representative. In addition, the GM Awareline allows employees, contractors, suppliers, and others to report concerns of misconduct affecting GM. Individuals can file a report 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, web, or email. Individuals filing reports on the GM Awareline can remain anonymous, as permitted by law. The link to access information for GM’s Awareline is located here.
Addressing Impacts
When potential adverse impacts are discovered, suppliers will investigate, and where appropriate, will engage with potentially affected stakeholders and/or their representatives with the aim of identifying mutually agreeable solutions or remedies and providing for or cooperating in their remediation through legitimate processes. Suppliers will cascade this expectation through their own supply chains.
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Suppliers will develop and implement an appropriate internal management system to comply with applicable law and the content of this Code. Suppliers will be able to demonstrate compliance with this Code upon GM’s request and will take any action to correct any noncompliance. If requested, suppliers will complete questionnaires or participate in on-site assessment or audits.
The management system should contain the following elements:
Leadership Commitment
Suppliers will clearly identify senior executives and company representatives responsible for ensuring implementation of the management system and associated programs. Senior management should review the status of the management systems on a regular basis.
Stakeholder Engagement
Suppliers will continuously improve their sustainability and stakeholder engagement progress. GM also encourages suppliers to work closely with local communities to implement projects and strategies that improve the community and those who live there.
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Risk Assessment and Management
Suppliers will have processes and strategies in place to identify and control business risk, legal compliance, environmental, health and safety, and labor practices and ethics risks associated with the supplier’s operations. Suppliers should determine the relative significance for each risk and implement appropriate procedural and physical controls to control the identified risks and meet regulatory compliance. Suppliers will continually monitor and enforce these standards in their operations and supply chain including subcontractors.
Improvement Objectives
Suppliers should conduct a periodic self-assessment, preferably administered through a third party, regarding conformity to legal and regulatory requirements, the content of this Code, and customer contractual requirements related to social and environmental responsibility. Suppliers will also have a process for timely correction of deficiencies identified by internal or external assessments, inspections, investigations, and reviews.
Training
Suppliers will have programs for new and ongoing training of managers and workers to implement their policies, procedures, and improvement objectives and to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements and comply with this Code and GM’s policies.
Communication and Documentation
Suppliers will have a process for communicating clear and accurate information about their policies, practices, expectations, and performance to workers, suppliers, and customers. Suppliers will also create and maintain documents and records to meet regulatory compliance and conformity to company requirements along with appropriate confidentiality to protect privacy.
Supplier Responsibility
Suppliers will have a process to communicate these Code requirements through their supply chain and to require suppliers to adopt management systems and practices for compliance with this Code or requirements materially consistent with this Code. Upon request, suppliers will provide evidence of efforts to cascade this Code or requirements materially consistent with this Code through their supply chains.
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KEY POLICIES
This Supplier Code of Conduct draws upon several GM and internationally recognized policies and principles listed below.
GM Policies:
International Policies:
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HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY
Effective as of August 17, 2021
Introduction
General Motors Company (GM) understands that long-term success starts with a company’s value system and a principled approach to doing business. This policy strives to make clear and transparent how we define, approach, govern and support universal human rights and the dignity of people throughout our operations, our communities in which we operate, and our global supply chain.
Our Commitment
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (the UN Guiding Principles) serve as a guiding framework for our work related to human rights. It establishes that the role of government is to protect human rights, the role of business is to respect human rights, and that both can play important roles to remedy adverse human rights impacts if and when they occur. GM is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights, including those described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (the ILO Core Conventions), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the UN Global Compact (to which GM is a signatory).
Workers’ Rights
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has established eight fundamental Conventions that cover four fundamental rights at work. Collectively, these are covered in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) and are also referred to as the ILO Core Conventions. General Motors commits to respect these rights, which are:
In addition, we are committed to the following and expect our suppliers and contractors to share in our commitment as we have set forth in our Supplier Code of Conduct:
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We expect our suppliers to commit to respecting each of the ILO Core Conventions as listed above, as well as other human rights, as detailed in our Supplier Code of Conduct. As noted therein, General Motors expects that its suppliers will cascade similar expectations throughout their own supply chains.
Rights of Vulnerable Groups
We recognize and respect the rights of vulnerable groups around the world, such as indigenous peoples, children, and migrant workers. We expect our suppliers to be similarly committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. The rights of these groups have been established and codified in various international conventions, including:
We recognize that around the world women face discrimination, lack access to skills and training, and often lack protection of basic rights and laws. We support women’s rights and economic inclusion, including support for equal pay.
We commit to neither tolerate nor knowingly contribute to threats, intimidation, or attacks against human rights defenders in relation to our operations. We encourage our suppliers to make the same commitment.
Addressing Impacts
We take seriously our responsibility to identify, prevent, mitigate, and remediate human rights related risks and impacts to which we may cause or contribute. We will implement the necessary policies and processes to fulfill each of these responsibilities.
When we discover potential adverse human rights impacts, we will investigate, and where appropriate, we will engage with potentially affected stakeholders and/or their representatives with the aim of identifying mutually agreeable solutions or remedies and providing for or cooperating in their remediation through legitimate processes.
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Similarly, we expect our suppliers to have processes in place to prevent, mitigate, and remediate adverse human rights impacts that they may cause or to which they may contribute and we expect those suppliers to cascade that expectation as well through their own supply chains pursuant to our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Stakeholder Engagement
We support the communities in which we operate and are committed to engage with our stakeholders taking into account their views as we conduct our business.
Privacy
We are committed to respecting the privacy of individuals, including employees and customers. We follow globally recognized privacy principles and strive to implement reasonable and appropriate practices in our collection, use, and sharing of personal information about individuals.
Reporting and Enforcement Mechanism
We put in place several reporting mechanisms and have strong anti-retaliation policies. We monitor our operations and information about our suppliers for potential violations and take action if violations occur, up to and including termination of employment or contract. Employees, suppliers, contractors, or others can report any incidents or concerns using GM’s grievance mechanism - our Awareline - 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by phone, Web, or email.
We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone for raising a concern in good faith as reflected in our non-retaliation policy and our non-retaliation expectations are made clear to our suppliers in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Disclosure
We report our actions and engagement on human rights in our annual sustainability report. We also make public on our website our values, principles, policies, and practices that this policy reinforces.
Addressing Potential Conflicts
General Motors operates in many different jurisdictions subject to different laws and regulations. In situations where our human rights policies are more stringent than local laws, we adhere to our own policies. In situations where laws or regulations in a particular jurisdiction conflict with our policies, we strive to apply our policies and international standards as far as local law allows.
3
RESPONSIBLE MINERALS SOURCING POLICY
General Motors (GM) is committed to sustainable and responsible sourcing of goods and services throughout our supply chain, including the various extracted minerals from around the world that ultimately become incorporated into our goods or services. As the auto industry’s development of electric vehicles matures, responsible sourcing is an increasingly important part of our commitment. We recognize the importance of mitigating any inadvertent adverse impact that GM demand for minerals may cause to the environment, society, and people in regions where the minerals are extracted or processed.
GM understands that certain minerals predominantly originate from Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas (CAHRA)1, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) and its adjoining countries, where there are heightened concerns that proceeds from minerals could be used to contribute to armed conflict or human rights abuses. In particular, the minerals tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (“3TG Minerals”) that are extracted or processed in certain geographies and contribute to armed conflict in DRC and its adjoining countries have become commonly referred to as “conflict minerals.” Similar concerns exist with additional minerals identified in Appendix A to this policy.
Consistent with our company values, GM’s goal is to avoid sourcing minerals in a way that contributes to armed conflict or human rights abuses. GM’s goal is also to continue to support the communities in those areas that depend on the mining industry through the sustainable sourcing of minerals in accordance with this policy. We are adopting this policy and have designed our program and due diligence practices in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas(OECD Due Diligence Guidance) in order to address responsible mineral sourcing.
As an organization, we have committed to:
What we require of our suppliers:
If we determine that a supplier in our supply chain violates one of these responsible sourcing requirements, we will endeavor to obtain an acceptable remediation of the violation, including without limitation directly communicating with suppliers and making available compliance education and training. We may also reassess our business relationship with a supplier if identified violations are not remedied.
APPENDIX A
Scope of Additional Materials:
Exhibit E
Example of Seller Quarterly Production Forecast
[***]
Exhibit F
Example of Buyer Quarterly Production Forecast
[***]
Exhibit G
Summary of Section 2.3 to Section 2.7
Annual Production/Purchase Forecast*
* Partial year on startup treated slightly differently by quarter
Quarterly Shipping Forecast: