Conflict Minerals: MEPs Divided on Conflict Minerals Scheme

Apr 14, 2015 | Benjamin Fox, EU Observer
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EU lawmakers have clashed over which businesses should be covered by new rules on the trade of conflict minerals used to fund civil wars.

In a vote on Tuesday (14 April), the parliament's trade committee beefed up a proposal by the European Commission tabled last March last year, allowing the over 400 European firms that import minerals to register for EU certification to demonstrate that their goods did not use conflict minerals. It also covers the import of metals including tin, tungsten, talanium and gold coming from war-torn countries

Tungsten, tin and tantalum are all key components in mobile phones, laptops and other consumer electronics.