Corporate Responsibility

Statement on RoHS2 & REACH

Yreka, California - January 31, 2017

Background: The European Union adopted two directives in 2003 and 2007, respectively. These directives and regulations relate to electrical and electronic equipment. Nor-Cal Products, Inc. recognizes these important requirements and has been working with suppliers and customers to ensure that products entering the EU market comply with all applicable laws.

RoHS and RoHS2 – Restriction of Hazardous Substances. The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU restricts the use of certain hazardous substances included in electrical equipment. RoHS and RoHS2 apply to Electrical and Electronic Equipment defined as equipment dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly and equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields and designed for use with a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current.

REACH is the European Community Regulation standard (law passed June 1, 2007) on chemicals and their safe use (EC 1907/2006) which is a new law entered into force on June 1, 2007 which will be phased in until 2018. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances. The Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are not restricted but instead all suppliers in the supply chain are required to declare if the supplied article contains >0.1% weight by weight (w/w) of any SVHC (article 33).

Nor-Cal Products’ Position – Product Compliance: All products sold by Nor-Cal Products are RoHS compliant with the exception of printed circuit boards used in legacy control products designed prior to 2004. Specifically, these circuit boards are used in stand-alone controllers for pressure control valves. Nor-Cal Products has developed a compliant choice for customers, and has also added other desired features that the older products did not contain. We encourage our customers to consider upgrading to these products that are not only compliant, but contain additional features. At a minimum, our products are evaluated for compliance to current laws and directives annually.

Nor-Cal Products’ goals and commitment toward the responsible use and handling of chemicals are consistent with the goals of REACH. With the exceptions listed above, Nor-Cal Products, Inc. hereby certifies conformance to the requirements of REACH 173 SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern), released on January 12, 2017 and RoHS/RoHS 2.

Click here to download the pdf version

Statement on Conflict Minerals

Yreka, California - January 2, 2017

Background: On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law. Section 1502 of the Act imposes new audit and disclosure requirements on companies required to report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding their use of “conflict minerals”, http://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2012/34-67716.pdf, in products they manufacture or contract to manufacture. As many of Nor-Cal Products' customers are publically traded companies, we are also subject to these same requirements.

Nor-Cal Products, Inc., takes very seriously concerns that profits from metals mining (“conflict minerals”) may be fueling civil conflicts in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “Conflict minerals” refers to minerals or other derivatives including tin, tantalum, gold and tungsten, which when mined in the DRC and adjoining countries, directly or indirectly finance armed groups engaged in civil war resulting in social and environmental abuses.

Nor-Cal Products’ Position – Product Compliance: Nor-Cal Products, Inc., is committed to compliance with the regulations of Section 1502 as we continue to follow the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) recommendations. We are in the process of surveying our supply chain and have not identified any use or supply risks resulting from conflict minerals. We understand this is an important concern worldwide and we will continue to work with our supply chain to ensure that our suppliers and sub-suppliers are compliant with this and other important regulatory requirements. At a minimum, our products are evaluated for compliance to current laws and directives annually.

Nor-Cal Products Statement on Conflict Minerals - 1/2017 PDF

Labor & Ethics Policy, HR 300

Yreka, California - February 16, 2017

Labor and Employment

Nor-Cal Products is committed to providing a work environment that upholds the human rights of employees and assures all workers are treated with dignity and respect. We regard the same level of such treatment from all of our suppliers, vendors and other service providers. We are an equal opportunity business whose practice is conducted within the range of our local Human Resources’ policies and the policies outlined by the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition through the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition’s Code of Conduct.

In addition, Nor-Cal Products is committed to conducting business in an honest and professional manner in compliance with all government laws, rules and regulations and immediate reporting of any potential code violations. We will regularly review our code to add, remove or amend our regulations as required.

Nor-Cal Products strives to provide a positive environment with open communication to all workers to fulfill goals set by the company and or individual workers. To ensure our compliance with this policy Nor-Cal will conduct surveys, reviews and corrective actions, when appropriate, to better the environment of all our employees, suppliers, vendors and service providers.

Nor-Cal Products Labor Standards:

Freely Chosen Employment
All work shall be voluntary, and workers shall not be required to hand over government-issued identification, passports or work permits as a condition of employment. In addition, workers shall not be required to pay employers’ or agents’ recruitment fees or any other related fees for employment.

Child Labor Avoidance
Child labor is not to be used in any stage of manufacturing. The term “child” refers to any person under the minimum age for employment in the country or under the age for completing compulsory education. The use of legitimate workplace internship programs that comply with all laws and regulations are supported. In addition, any work that could jeopardize the health or safety of workers under the age of 18 shall not be permitted.

Working Hours
In order to assure workers are not strained or subjected to injury or illness, work weeks are not to exceed the maximum set by local law. Nor-Cal Products will monitor overtime and take appropriate action to address instances deemed excessive. Additionally a workweek is not to exceed 60 hours per week, including overtime, unless in emergency or unusual circumstances. Furthermore, all workers are permitted at least one day off per seven days.

Wages and Benefits
The basis on which workers are to be paid is required in a timely manner via pay stub or similar documentation. Compensation paid to workers shall comply with all applicable wage laws, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours and legally mandated benefits. Wage deductions as a disciplinary measure will not be permitted.

Humane Treatment
Any harsh or inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion, or verbal abuse of employees, will not be tolerated; nor is there to be threatening of such treatment. Disciplinary policies shall be clearly defined and communicated to all staff.

Non-Discrimination
Nor-Cal Products is committed to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination, therefore companies shall not engage in discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership or marital status in hiring and in employment practices. Workers or potential workers are not to be subjected to physical exams or medical tests that could be used in a discriminatory way.

Freedom of Association
In accordance with local law, the rights of workers to associate freely, join or not join labor unions, seek representation, and join workers’ organizations shall be respected. Workers and management shall have an open communication to share grievances regarding working conditions and management practices without fear of reprisal, intimidation or harassment.

Intellectual Property
Intellectual property rights are to be respected, and customer information safeguarded. The transfer of technology and know-how is to be done in an appropriate manner that protects intellectual property rights.

Nor-Cal Products Labor and Ethics Policy - 2/2017 PDF

Nor-Cal Products’ New Health Care Plan

Yreka, California - July 1, 2011

Average health care costs for a family of four insured through their job rose 7.3% this year to $19,393, according to Milliman Inc., an independent consulting firm. Nationwide, employee’s share of the premium is inching closer to 50%. While many employers are decreasing employee benefits to government mandated limits due to rising costs, cutting salaries or laying off, Yreka’s Nor-Cal Products has increased wages and recently increased health insurance coverage, while holding the line on employee premiums and lowering out of pocket maximums. Valve assembly technician Jim Anderson says, “There are a lot of great things about Anthem Blue Cross. One of the services I thought was cool, now that I am over 50, is that the preventive cancer screening is 100% covered - no copay and the deductible is waived. How can you beat that?” According to another employee, “I will save $100 a month on prescriptions plus $260 when my two girls need new glasses.” Major dental services, such as crowns or bridges, previously required a one year waiting period, but are now available to the new employee. Vision coverage was offered as a supplemental policy, but now is included in the basic plan. Chiropractic visit coverage has been expanded from twelve to twenty visits per year. An employee assistance program provides free counseling services for the employee and their family, while a new long-term disability benefit pays 60% of the employee’s basic monthly earnings. Annual out-of-pocket maximum has been reduced from $4,500 to $3,000 per individual or from $9,000 to $6,000 per family. Nor-Cal also provides every employee with a life insurance policy worth one year’s salary. Nor-Cal believes in being good community and corporate citizens. In addition to sponsoring many local community activities, they have implemented green initiatives, such as an electric truck for transporting parts between their two buildings, energy efficient lighting and solar panels soon to be installed on their South building.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Yreka, California - April 20, 2011

Recently, Nor-Cal Products with the help of Pacific Power Company and Day Electric Company upgraded the overhead lighting system in their factory and offices to energy efficient fluorescent lights. High output T12 fluorescent lights were replaced with high efficiency T8 lights. They also replaced all the old incandescent exit signs with LED lighted signs. To complete the project they installed occupancy sensors in the rest rooms, so the lights are turned off automatically when no one is in the room. The new system decreased the energy consumed for lighting by 56%, which equates to 729,000 kilowatt hours per year.

Craig Hill Youth Activity Center

Yreka, California - February 23, 2011

Nor-Cal Product’s late CEO, Craig Hill, was honored by his friend and business partner, Tom Deany, during the ribbon cutting of the Craig Hill Youth Activity Center at the Yreka YMCA. Shortly before his death, Craig made a personal donation of $60,000 to fill a funding gap in the project. Behind the scenes, Craig was always a generous benefactor to youth and civic activities in Yreka and the surrounding areas. He supported swim teams, sober graduation, bike races, court appointed special advocates and many other programs. During the grand opening of the new activity center, Tom said he hoped that Craig was smiling down on the event; although he confessed that Craig would probably be “mad as hell” that it was named after him. Craig was not one for notoriety; however, he was the first to lend support to his community and its youth.

For the full story see
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/archive/x678656943/Yreka-YMCA-youth-center-to-open-this-weekend