European Commission, 22 Nov 2016

The EU Institutions today reached an agreement on the final shape of an EU Regulation on conflict minerals, which aims to stop the financing of armed groups in developing countries through the trade of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. The agreement on the Regulation, brokered by the Commission, will ensure that the vast majority of these minerals and metals imported to the EU are sourced responsibly. "The rules we agreed upon today are a huge step forward in our efforts to stop human rights abuses and armed conflict financed by trade in minerals...," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström...The key issue was to define how and when the Regulation will apply to EU importers... to ensure sustainable sourcing for more than 95% of all EU imports of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, which will be covered by due diligence provisions as of 1 January 2021...the Commission and Member States will work to make sure that the necessary structures are in place to ensure EU-wide implementation...the Regulation will now be adopted by the Council and the European Parliament.