Conflict Minerals: New EU Regulation Published

The new Conflict Minerals Regulation 2017/82/EU laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers; it was published in the European Union Official Gazette on May 19, 2017. Importers of conflict minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas have supply chain due diligence obligations. The affected conflict minerals include tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and Gold. This Regulation is designed to provide transparency and certainty as regards the supply practices of importers, and of smelters and refiners sourcing from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The minerals and metals covered by the new Regulation are listed in Annex I with the related volume thresholds. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to amend the existing thresholds listed in Annex I every three years after January,1 2021. The Regulation shall enter into force on July, 9 2017 and will then apply directly in every EU Member State. However, a transitional period until January, 1 2021 applies to all importers for the due diligence.