ASML scraps inclusion and diversity targets in the US

By Nathan Vifflin

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier ASML has dropped its inclusion and diversity targets in the U.S. to comply with regulations there, it said on Wednesday.

The world's largest computer chip equipment maker said its diversity and key performance targets would not apply to U.S. employees to the extent that its inclusion and diversity policies conflict with U.S. laws and regulations, but would continue in all other markets.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

ASML joins other European firms that have acted to avoid potential penalties from an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump that cracked down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Trump says such initiatives are themselves discriminatory and stifle merit.

KEY QUOTES

"ASML policy has always been to hire the best available candidate for the job. We will continue to hire based on qualifications and merit", ASML said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"Diversity targets and key performance indicators will not apply to employees in the U.S.", the company said.

"For the Netherlands and all other markets, there are no material changes as a result of the executive order" ASML said.

BY THE NUMBERS

Around 19% of ASML's workforce is based in the United States, according to the company's latest annual report, representing 8,480 full-time equivalent employees out of a global total of 44,027.

ASML’s primary DEI targets include increasing the representation of women in senior leadership to 14% by 2026, with a target representation of 24% women in new hires and promotions by 2025.

(Reporting by Nathan Vifflin in Amsterdam. Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak and Mark Potter)