Industry, Civil Society and Government Representatives to Convene Nov. 9-10
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 13, 2016 – 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, today announced additional speakers for its annual conference in Santa Clara, California on November 9 and 10.
The CFSI’s 2016 Annual Conference will feature top speakers from industry, civil society and government. Representatives from the OECD, European Commission, ICGLR Office of the Executive Secretary, China Chamber of Commerce of Metals Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC), European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM), ITRI, Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (TIC), UN Group of Experts, Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), Amnesty International, Global Witness, Enough Project and others have recently been added to the CFSI Annual Conference Agenda.
The objectives of the conference are to bring together experts and practitioners from industry, governments, and civil society from around the globe and across tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG) supply chains to discuss strategies, programs, lessons learned and emerging issues as they relate to sourcing minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. To this end, the CFSI is partnering with the Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade to deliver the program.
Topical areas of focus at this year’s conference include the Evolution of Due Diligence, Drivers for Responsible Sourcing, Conflict Minerals Program Management, Motivations for Responsible Gold Supply Chains, System Harmonization and Alignment, Dynamics of Responsible Sourcing in China, and CFSI Strategic Activities and Updates.
Experts and industry representatives responsible for their company’s supply chain programs will gain valuable insight on how companies, civil society and other stakeholders are furthering due diligence implementation and the progress to date from collective efforts. Participants will walk away from the conference with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for facilitating responsible minerals trade from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and what it takes to meet stakeholder expectations and comply with regulations.
Who Should Attend CFSI's Annual Conference?
- Companies that use tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (3TG) in their goods or products, companies that supply 3TG to downstream companies, and companies subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act (Section 1502) and/or emerging legislation in the European Union.
- Government officials interested in learning what the industry is doing to decouple the link between raw material supply chains and conflict, operationalize the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and drive greater accountability and transparency in 3TG supply chains.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on human and labor rights, supply chain transparency, conflict/security, due diligence, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and regulatory compliance.
- Audit and other firms that provide services to facilitate supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing assurance.
Key Dates:
The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative's Annual Conference follows the EICC's Responsible Electronics 2016, which requires separate registration.
- EICC Members-Only Meeting: Monday, Nov. 7 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- RE 2016 General Sessions: Tuesday, Nov. 8 (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)
- RE 2016 Breakout Sessions: Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)
- CFSI Members-Only Meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 9 (1:30-5 p.m.)
- CFSI Annual Conference: Thursday, Nov. 10 (8:15 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
- EICC Code Training: Thursday, Nov. 10-Friday, Nov. 11 (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 8 a.m.-3 p.m., respectively)
Location:
The CFSI Annual Conference and Responsible Electronics 2016 will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California.
Learn More and Register:
2016 CFSI Annual Conference: View the agenda and register here.
Responsible Electronics 2016: View the agenda and register here.
If you have any questions about these events, or are interested in sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, contact Valerie Esty at vesty@responsiblebusiness.org or (571) 858-5733.
About CFSI
The CFSI is a multi-industry initiative with over 340 member companies, including associations and service providers. Our members contribute to the development and international uptake of a range of tools and resources including the Conflict-Free Smelter Program, the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template, Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry data, and a range of guidance documents on responsible sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG). The CFSI runs regular workshops on responsible sourcing issues and contributes to policy development with leading civil society organizations and governments. For more information, visit conflictfreesourcing.org.
Media Contact:
Jarrett Bens, Director of Communications
Responsible Business Alliance
Phone: +1 571.858.5721
jbens@responsiblebusiness.org
