Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is a global supplier of scientific instruments, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic kits, with annual revenue exceeding $40 billion. The company's products, including DNA collection kits and precision diagnostic tools, are sold into active conflict zones and high-risk areas. In January 2024, the company halted sales of its DNA collection kits in Tibet after human rights groups reported the products were being used by Chinese authorities for surveillance and population control. The company's own Human Rights Due Diligence report for Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, covering 2021 to 2024, acknowledges the need to mitigate exposure to human rights risks linked to its operations in such regions.

The company files an annual Conflict Minerals Report (Form SD) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as required for manufacturers whose products may contain tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. While this reporting demonstrates awareness of supply chain risks in conflict-affected areas, the company's broad product portfolio and global sales channels mean its equipment and consumables inherently support the operational capacity of parties in various conflict zones. There is no public affirmative argument that the civilian population in any specific conflict zone would be materially worse off without Thermo Fisher's products, which are primarily for institutional laboratory use rather than direct essential civilian service.