Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Opens Membership
Published 01-15-14
Submitted by Responsible Business Alliance
As the leading industry initiative on conflict minerals, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) calls on more companies to join the effort to become conflict-free by becoming CFSI members. A five-year, joint industry effort by over 120 companies from seven different industries, the CFSI provides vital sourcing information that enables companies to make informed choices about minerals they use in their products – including helping companies meet their upcoming reporting deadline related to U.S. conflict minerals regulations.
“We’ve focused for over five years on an industry solution to an industry challenge: becoming conflict-free. It has been a major challenge and there have been people who’ve questioned that we could even do it. By collaborating and focusing on the pinch point in the metals supply chain – smelters and refiners – we’re now able to provide our members with the information they need to make responsible choices about conflict minerals in their products,” said Michael Rohwer, Program Director for the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative.
The CFSI provides a range of tools and resources that support responsible sourcing, including through the Conflict-Free Smelter Program and its smelter audit program, access to Reasonable Country of Origin Information (RCOI) data, the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template, which ensures consistent sourcing data throughout the supply chain, and a range of guidance and analysis papers on conflict minerals due diligence and best practices. The CFSI also runs twice-yearly workshops on conflict minerals issues which are open to all participants. The 13th CFSI Workshop will take place in Brussels March 17-18, 2014 with a special focus on pending European Union regulations and conflict minerals initiatives based in the Great Lakes region.
Any company that uses or transacts in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold is eligible for membership in the CFSI. The membership application is available online, along with further details of member benefits and annual fees.
About the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative
Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative has grown into one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies addressing conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. Over 120 companies participate in the CFSI today, contributing to 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 white papers and guidance documents on conflict minerals sourcing. The CFSI also runs regular workshops on conflict minerals issues and contributes to policy development and debates with leading civil society organizations and governments.
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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