The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition® (EICC®) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) are pleased to announce the launch of the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). The CFSI replaces the name “EICC-GeSI Extractives Work Group” as the initiative grows and becomes more inclusive of stakeholders and a wide range of industry sectors supporting the sourcing of conflict-free minerals.

The CFSI is the global leader for the responsible sourcing of minerals. It provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. These resources are key to assisting companies to source minerals responsibly and help companies to comply with the new regulatory requirements under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This common approach reduces the need for duplication of efforts across the many sectors that are using conflict minerals, including the aerospace, apparel, automotive, defense, housing, jewelry, packaging, and toy industries.

The CFSI encompasses a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder network. The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), the Japanese Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) are among its members.[1] Together, this network has developed leading tools and resources including:

• Conflict-Free Smelter Program (www.conflictfreesmelter.org)
• Conflict Minerals Reporting Template
• Conflict-free minerals supply chain workshops[2]
• Conflict minerals training and best practices
• Research on conflict minerals and metals used in the electronics sector

“Industry, governments and NGOs support the CFSI because of its open-source, multi-stakeholder design and its impact,” says Stephen D'Esposito, President of RESOLVE, an independent, solutions focused organization. “With the CFSI, the EICC and GeSI have created a resource for all those who support conflict-free supply chains.”

About EICC® (Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition®)
The EICC is a not-for-profit established in 2004 to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions in the global electronic supply chain through a standardized code of conduct. It was incorporated in 2007 to encourage the code’s adoption across the industry. Members are committed to a common approach to corporate social responsibility issues in the global electronics supply chain, and work with external stakeholders to find solutions. The EICC includes more than 75 global electronics companies. For more information and the EICC Code of Conduct, see www.eicc.info.

About GeSI (Global e-Sustainability Initiative)
The Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) is a strategic partnership of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and organizations committed to technologies and practices that foster economic, environmental and social sustainability. Formed in 2001, GeSI’s vision is a sustainable world through responsible, ICT-enabled transformation. GeSI fosters global and open cooperation, publicizes its members’ actions to improve their sustainability performance, and promotes technologies that foster sustainable development. GeSI’s 33 members are leading ICT companies and associations. GeSI also partners with two UN organizations – the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – as well as a range of international stakeholders. These partnerships help shape GeSI’s global vision for an ICT sector that supports sustainable development. For more information, see www.gesi.org.

[1] Other CFSI supporters can be found at www.conflictfreesmelter.org. Partner associations can be found at www.aiag.org, www.jeita.or.jp/english, and www.rila.org.

[2] There have been 10 conflict-free minerals workshops to date; the next will be held in Hong Kong on May 8-9, 2013. Register for the upcoming workshop at tinyurl.com/may2013workshop.

Responsible Business Alliance

Responsible Business Alliance

The Responsible Business Alliance is the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains.

About the RBA

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a nonprofit coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continual improvement. The RBA and its Responsible Minerals, Labor and Factory Initiatives have more than 380 members with combined annual revenues of greater than $7.7 trillion, directly employing over 21.5 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries.

Vision & Mission

Vision: A global electronics industry that creates sustainable value for workers, the environment and business.

Mission: Members, suppliers and stakeholders collaborate to improve working and environmental conditions through leading standards and practices.

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