Tag Archives: EU

Countdown to EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (7 Months)

In less than 7 months, the EU conflict minerals regulation will take full effect, and importers into the European Union of certain threshold amounts of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG) and of metals containing 3TG will be subject to it.  As of today, despite Brexit, importers into the UK will be subject to it … Continue Reading

EU Conflict Minerals Regulation — Finally Published in the Official Journal!

At long last, the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation was published today in the Official Journal of the European Union.  The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation 2017 (as published) will enter into force 20 days after publication (June 8, 2017) and take effect 1 month after that (July 8, 2017). The effective date is January 2021, but companies would … Continue Reading

Final EU Conflict Minerals Regulation – Only the Publication Step Remains

Today, April 3, 2017, the European Council took the last procedural step and approved the EU conflict minerals regulation. Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union will be the next and final step of the process. The publication could occur in 3 to 6 weeks.  Here is the text of the official EU Conflict Minerals … Continue Reading

European Conflict Minerals Regulation — Details On What EU Importers Must Do

The proposed EU conflict minerals regulation has almost reached the last step before becoming an official EU regulation. On March 16, 2017, the European Parliament voted to approve the regulation, and the Council of the EU is expected to formally approve it in the weeks to come.  The Council’s vote will be the last step … Continue Reading

The New EU Conflict Minerals Regulation — Is It Something To Be Thankful For?

Since the US Presidential Election 2 weeks ago, some have been looking forward to a possible repeal of the US conflict minerals rule by a newly-elected Trump Administration. But, the completion of the negotiations on the new EU conflict minerals regulation makes it clear that companies should not slow their due diligence efforts on the … Continue Reading

EU Conflict Minerals Regulation — What’s Going On?

Many of you are asking what is happening with the EU conflict minerals regulation, what is the likely timing for adopting the regulation, and what should you do now to prepare. Process — The development of the EU conflict minerals regulation has now entered the final negotiation phase. This phase, known as the “trialogue negotiations,” involves informal meetings between the … Continue Reading

Conflict Minerals — For European Companies That Haven’t Started The Process, Here’s How To Build Your Compliance Program

When the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s conflict minerals rule was issued in 2012, US reporting companies (and their suppliers) developed and implemented conflict minerals compliance programs. Companies have continued to enhance and beef up their programs since then. Now, companies should be supplementing their compliance programs to be ready to address the requirements of … Continue Reading

EU Conflict Minerals Regulation Not Expected Until Mid-2016 – At the Earliest

We have been watching the EU process for some time, eager to determine when the EU conflict minerals regulation will finally be adopted. A source familiar with the EU Council proceedings has told us about the Council’s next steps, which will determine when the final consensus of the regulation can be expected. The Council of the EU is currently developing its … Continue Reading

EU Releases Draft of Conflict Minerals Regulation, Proposes Voluntary Scheme

Summary of EU Conflict Minerals Regulation: Focuses on upstream portion of supply chain, specifically the more than 400 importers of minerals into the EU Creates new, voluntary EU system for supply chain due diligence self-certification Offers incentives to companies that undertake the due diligence steps Defines “Conflict Minerals” as tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (same as … Continue Reading

EU Conflict Minerals Draft Said To Fall Short of NGOs Expectations

According to a EurActiv.com news article, entitled EU Drafts Conflict Minerals Law, With Opt-In Clause, when the proposed rule is released tomorrow, March 5th, it will be limited to the same minerals identified by the U.S. conflict minerals rule (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) and the rule will not contain any compulsory measures, but will … Continue Reading

European Commissioner Confirms EU Focus Only on 3TG – Proposal Now Expected by Late October

On Tuesday, September 17th, EU Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, spoke at a Public Hearing of the Committee on Development in Brussels. He spoke about the role of extractive industries in developing countries in promoting development through responsible business practices. In that speech, de Gucht confirmed that the EU approach to conflict minerals is … Continue Reading
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