The EU has tabled a framework on conflict minerals, bringing it another step closer to becoming mandatory in Europe.
The trade of conflict minerals are considered a major financial contributor to warlords, criminals and armed groups across the world, and the proposals look to place responsibilities on the importers of raw and refined minerals to carry out increased due diligence and reporting, ultimately to encourage responsible sourcing. The regulation will help to prevent profits from trading minerals being used to fund armed conflicts.
The minerals in question are often referred to as the ‘3TGs’ which means minerals extracted as wolframite (for tungsten), casserite (for tin), coltan (for tantalum) and gold. These type of minerals are used in many components for the latest electronic and consumer products we find in our homes today.
According to the European Commission, the tabled regulation sets out clear, mandatory due diligence obligations on large importers of raw materials (for smelting and refining in the EU). This focuses on up-stream companies, however the down-steam companies using refined minerals will carry the reporting requirements and standards too, promoting responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain, contributing to a transparent database.
We expect to see European Parliament final adoption in the coming months, so expect more detailed news to follow soon. Political understanding is essential to achieve regulatory implementation – the key EU institutions are supporting the policy and can now work on the detail of implementation. Regulation is expected to come into effect in mid-to-late 2017.
To find out more about how you may be affected, please contact our team of specialists on 0845 094 2228.
Robbie Staniforth
Innovation and Policy Director
Robbie is innovation and policy director at Ecosurety. Having spent years building an intimate understanding of the industry’s policies and politics, he uses this knowledge to help shape new legislation and oversees Ecosurety’s growing portfolio of cross-industry innovation projects including Podback and the Flexible Plastic Fund. He has worked closely with Defra during the most recent packaging consultations, outlining the impacts and required transitional arrangements of the UK’s new EPR system and is a member of the government’s Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP). He is also a spokesperson for the company and regularly uses his influence to communicate the importance of environmental responsibility to external stakeholders.
Useful links
The UK does not yet have comprehensive EPR systems in place, but that is set to change. Are you ready?
Read More >>The online Report Packaging Data portal is now live for large producers to complete enrolment and nominate their compliance scheme by 1 October.
Read More >>The ZAP project, funded by the Ecosurety Exploration Fund, was launched by the Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASBP) to help reduce the quantity of avoidable packaging plastic waste in construction, much of which is not recycled.
Read More >>
