Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption on Thursday 16 March of the proposal (brought forward by the Commission in 2013) for a regulation to seek to stem the trade in conflict minerals – tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (the 3TG) – from conflict zones (Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region, in particular) thereby stopping the proceeds of this trade from being used to finance military and armed groups
This “ambitious, workable” regulation will “ensure that minerals used by European industries are sourced responsibly, in a way that does not harm populations in mining regions and does not fuel war”, said Malmström, adding that it “will reduce the hardship and human rights abuses that have for too long accompanied this trade”.
“Transparent and responsible supply chains mean revenues will not go into the hands of rebel groups, but to investment in schools and hospitals, supporting a well-governed state underpinned by the rule of law. It means improving people's lives, from conflict and terror to opportunity and hope. It means encouraging the economic growth that helps the poorest regions grow sustainably”, the commissioner stated.
Under the terms of the final agreement between the Council of the EU, Parliament and the Commission concluded at the end of 2016 (see EUROPE 11674), all but the smallest European importers of “3TG” will be required to conduct due diligence checks on their suppliers. Large companies will be required to disclose how they intend to verify their sources.
From 1 January 2021, up to 95% of imports of these minerals into the EU will be covered by the due diligence provisions established by OECD guidelines. By making the companies involved in the “3TG” trade more responsible, the regulation will ensure that these imports are EU responsibly sourced.
In the meantime, the Commission and the member states will work to make sure that the necessary structures are in place to ensure EU-wide implementation.
Alongside the regulation, the EU will bring in accompanying measures designed to support SME importers and development aid to ensure that the regulation will be implemented effectively and will have positive benefits on the ground.
The Commission points out, too that the EU has also been reaching out to governments in Africa, Asia and beyond to encourage them to source responsibly and eliminate alternative markets for conflict minerals. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)