📋 Tender Overview
Although natural mineral resources have great potential for development they can be a source of conflict in areas of conflict or at risk if their revenue contributes to the outbreak or continuation of violent conflict. It hinders the pursuit of development good governance and the rule of law. In these regions breaking the link between conflict and illicit mineral exploitation is a critical factor in ensuring peace development and stability.The European Union has actively participated in the initiative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD which promotes the responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict areas. This has led to a multi-stakeholder nationally supported process that led to the adoption of the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict and Risk Areas . In May 2011 the OECD Council of Ministers recommended that compliance with these guidelines be actively promoted.From January 1 2021 the EU Regulation 2017821 of 17.05.2017 will be applied which establishes due diligence related to the supply chain for importers of tin tantalum tungsten and their ores and gold from conflict and risk areas . The regulation does not apply to Union importers of metals or minerals if their annual import volume of each relevant mineral or metal is below the volume threshold set out in Annex I.This regulation which controls the trade in minerals from conflict zones is one way to end the financing of armed groups. In the context of the Regulation and according to the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines supply chain due diligence is an ongoing proactive and reactive process by which businesses monitor and conduct buying and selling transactions in a way that does not promote conflict or its adverse effects.An external audit of a companys supply chain due diligence practices ensures that it can be trusted by downstream companies and helps to improve the due diligence practices of upstream companies. The companys public reporting on its supply chain due diligence principles and practices ensures the necessary transparency to build public confidence in the measures taken by the company. Union importers continue to be personally responsible for the fulfillment of the duty of care provided for in this regulation.
