Conflict Minerals: FTA Issues Statement on Conflict Minerals to Highlight Drawbacks on Draft Regulation

Mar 5, 2015 | Foreign Trade Association
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The Foreign Trade Association (FTA) has published a statement on conflict minerals to highlight certain drawbacks associated with a draft regulation discussed by the European Parliament (EP) at a meeting on 23 February 2015.

The objective of this regulation is to set up a European system for supply chain due diligence and self-certification of importers of minerals and metals originating in conflict and high-risk areas. The trade sector has an inherent interest in promoting sustainable supply chains and FTA welcomes the overall aim, but the association has concerns about certain ambiguities in the proposal.

Concretely, the regulation might – albeit inadvertently – include manufactured goods. While the regulation does in fact only mention importers of raw materials, an accompanying communication refers to due diligence for European sellers of electronic goods and equipment, jewellery, light bulbs and batteries, amongst others.