News

CFSI Welcomes European Union Conflict Minerals Regulation

Mar 16, 2017

The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI), a coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving the security and human rights conditions in their raw materials supply chains, welcomes the European Union (EU) regulation on supply chain due diligence obligations for EU importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG). The new regulation was approved today by the European Parliament and will next go before the European Council.

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CFSI Enables Companies to Comply With New EU Conflict Minerals Legislation

May 27, 2015

The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) today announced it stands ready to help companies navigate compliance with the pending conflict minerals legislation that was recently voted on by the European Parliament. In addition, the CFSI is adopting a risk-based approach to its audit program to bolster audits of smelters and refiners of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold worldwide.

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Updated Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (4.0) Now Available

Apr 30, 2015

A new Conflict Minerals Reporting Template, version 4.0 (CMRT 4.0), is available from the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative. The leading multi-industry tool to facilitate transfer of information throughout the supply chain in support of conflict-free sourcing, CMRT 4.0 includes an updated Standard Smelter List and numerous translation improvements. CFSI recommends that companies use CMRT 3.0, 3.01 or 3.02 versions for the collection of 2014 supply chain data, and the 3.02 version of the Standard Smelter List, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2015 where required. CMRT 4.0 is not recommended for filing 2014 supply chain data, but is designed for 2015 reporting.

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Updated Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (3.02) Now Available

Nov 07, 2014

November 7, 2014, Alexandria, Virginia – A new Conflict Minerals Reporting Template version 3.02 (CMRT 3.02) was published today by the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative. The leading multi-industry tool to facilitate transfer of information throughout the supply chain in support of conflict-free sourcing, CMRT 3.02 includes a number of updates from the current version 3.01, including an updated Standard Smelter List and numerous translation improvements. CFSI recommends that companies use CMRT 3.00 version and higher for the collection of 2014 supply chain data, as well as the 3.02 version of the Standard Smelter List, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2015 where required.

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CFSI Welcomes U.S. Department of Commerce Report on Conflict Minerals Processing Facilities; Looks Forward to Future Collaboration

Sep 08, 2014

The leading industry initiative on conflict minerals, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI), welcomes the recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce on conflict minerals processing facilities, and looks forward to the Department of Commerce’s efforts to collaborate further with existing industry efforts on conflict minerals due diligence.

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Statement on U.S. court ruling on conflict minerals regulations

Apr 17, 2014

Founded in 2008, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative is a collaboration across industries of companies committed to conflict-free supply chains and supporting peaceful development in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The passage of the U.S. Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010 increased global awareness of conflict minerals issues, including that the use of these minerals affects many industries. The goal of the CFSI is to allow companies to make informed decisions when sourcing minerals. Monday’s court ruling invalidating one aspect of the SEC final rule does not affect the programs of the CFSI. We will continue to engage with smelters and refiners to validate their conflict status and to assist our members to collect and manage data regarding the sources of minerals in their supply chains. The CFSI will also continue to monitor legal developments and assess any impact to our programs.

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Updated Conflict Minerals Reporting Template Now Available

Apr 10, 2014

A new Conflict Minerals Reporting Template version 3.0 (CMRT 3.0) was published today by the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative. The leading multi-industry tool to facilitate transfer of information throughout the supply chain in support of conflict-free sourcing, CMRT 3.0 includes a number of updates from the current version 2.03a, including harmonization with the corresponding IPC standard. CMRT 3.0 is highly recommended for the collection of 2014 supply chain data for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2015 where required.

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Statement on European Commission Proposal on Conflict Minerals Regulations

Mar 06, 2014

As a leading industry initiative on conflict minerals, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) shares and recognizes the objectives of the proposal on conflict minerals regulations released by the European Commission on March 5, 2014. We agree that companies have a responsibility to make informed choices about conflict minerals in their supply chains and that their sourcing decisions can have an impact on natural resources trade and funding of conflict.

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CFSI Update in Regards to Dubai Gold Refiner Allegations

Feb 25, 2014

News reports today in the BBC, the Guardian and other outlets, along with NGO Global Witness cite claims from a former auditor that a major gold refiner trading in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) "committed serious breaches of the rules designed to stop gold mined in conflict zones from entering the global supply chain," (BBC). In relation to these allegations, the CFSI provides the following update about our activities.

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Conflict-Free Sources for All Four Conflict Minerals Now Identified

Jan 30, 2014

In a landmark achievement in the fight against conflict minerals, the leading industry initiative on conflict minerals, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI), has validated conflict-free smelters or refiners of all four conflict minerals for the first time in the initiative’s five-year history. The CFSI calls on more smelters and refiners to join the effort to become conflict-free by undergoing the CFSI’s independent, third-party conflict minerals audit.

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Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Statement on Sourcing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Adjoining Countries

Jan 28, 2014

The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative is a coalition of over 160 companies from seven different industries committed to providing information and resources to help companies make informed choices about conflict minerals in their supply chains. The CFSI sees its role as helping to end the prolonged conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by supporting responsible sourcing practices by companies. A strong economy that benefits all citizens is a vital element for sustainable peace in the DRC. To support the region’s economy, the CFSI believes that responsible choices by companies means choosing to source from the DRC and adjoining countries, as long as those materials can be validated as conflict-free and the sourcing decision makes business sense.

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Leading Industry Initiative on Conflict Minerals Calls On More Companies to Join the Effort

Jan 15, 2014

As the leading industry initiative on conflict minerals, the Conflict- Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) calls on more companies to join the effort to become conflict-free by becoming CFSI members. A five-year, joint industry effort by over 120 companies from seven different industries, the CFSI provides vital sourcing information that enables companies to make informed choices about minerals they use in their products – including helping companies meet their upcoming reporting deadline related to U.S. conflict minerals regulations.

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