Helpful organisations you should know for Conflict Minerals compliance

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It is important that your business is up to date and compliant with the numerous regulations and legislation available. Given the variety, business operators should also be aware which set is applicable for the types of goods they are trading in, as well as the necessary documentation to be compliant. Below is a comprehensive list and details of the different types of legislation and guidance that businesses can follow to ensure good business practices with respect to conflict minerals:

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OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (more details available here)

• Provides business operators with detailed recommendations on how to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral purchasing decisions and practices. Can be used by any business sourcing minerals from a conflict-affected area.
• Also provided is an alignment assessment tool (available here) used for evaluating the extent to which industry programmes align with the OECD recommendations.

 

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OECD Risk Awareness Tool for Multinational Enterprises in Weak Governance Zones (more details available here)

• Aims to provide assistance in the form of guidance for companies that invest in countries whose governments are unwilling or unable to assume their responsibilities. To do so it poses a variety of questions addressing risk and ethical dilemmas that these companies are most likely to face in weak governance zones.
• The tool is available for use here.

 

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UN Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (more details available here)

• This is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes the implementation of a set of principles that guide companies and business operators on providing security for their operations while respecting human rights. Has a variety of corporate, NGO and government organisations as compliant members.
• A full breakdown of the principles is available here.
• Applying to become a member could ensure your business is compliant with the detailed recommendations. Membership applications and details are available through the link provided above.
• Implementation of the principles is available through training and verification resources, with more details on both sections available here.

 

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UN Global Compact (more details available here)

• A global corporate sustainability initiative that moves companies to align with strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance those societal goals.
• Businesses and corporations can apply to join the initiative, giving them access to UN-verified safe and compliant business practices. The application process is available here.

 

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The Kimberly Process (more details available here)

• A global initiative that unites administrations, civil societies and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds around the world.
• If your company is importing or exporting diamonds around the world, local customs agencies will need the relevant KP licenses and certificates to ensure you are not dealing in conflict diamonds.
• A KP certificate is necessary for the export of rough diamonds, while a KP license is necessary for both the import and export of rough diamonds.
• Applications are available on domestic customs websites, or for UK business operators the Government Diamond Office can be contacted using kpuk@fco.gov.uk. 

 

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The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (more details available here)

• The global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources.
• Includes a comprehensive guide for businesses to comply with the recommendations, including signing up, governance, legal framework, licenses and disclosure to name but a few.
• The guide and all its resources are available here.

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