{"id":18001,"date":"2022-09-21T22:07:43","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T22:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=18001"},"modified":"2023-08-27T17:02:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T17:02:25","slug":"santioned-imports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/","title":{"rendered":"Santioned Imports [EU]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Responsible_trade_in_minerals_from_high-risk_or_conflict_areas\" title=\"Responsible trade in minerals from high-risk or conflict areas\">Responsible trade in minerals from high-risk or conflict areas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Key_Points\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Due_diligence\" title=\"Due diligence\">Due diligence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Supply_chain_due_diligence_schemes\" title=\"Supply chain due diligence schemes\">Supply chain due diligence schemes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Review\" title=\"Review\">Review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#Application_Background\" title=\"Application &amp; Background\">Application &amp; Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/santioned-imports\/#MAIN_DOCUMENT\" title=\"MAIN DOCUMENT\">MAIN DOCUMENT<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Responsible_trade_in_minerals_from_high-risk_or_conflict_areas\"><\/span>Responsible trade in minerals from high-risk or conflict areas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 on the obligations of importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold from conflict-affected and high-risk areas<\/p>\n<p>The European Union (EU) regulation aims to:<\/p>\n<p>ensure that EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG) meet international responsible sourcing standards set by the<\/p>\n<p>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);<br \/>\nensure that global and EU smelters and refiners* source 3TG responsibly;<br \/>\nhelp break the link between conflict and the illegal exploitation of minerals;<br \/>\nhelp put an end to the exploitation and abuse of local communities, including mine workers, and support local development.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In politically unstable areas, trade in minerals such as 3TG can be used to finance armed groups, lead to forced labour and other human rights abuses, and support corruption and money laundering.<br \/>\nThese conflict minerals are then used in everyday products, such as mobile phones, cars or jewellery.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Due_diligence\"><\/span>Due diligence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The term due diligence means to act with reasonable care and investigate an issue before making a decision. It is an ongoing, proactive and reactive process by which companies put in place systems and processes to identify, manage and report on risks in their supply chains.<\/p>\n<p>For the minerals covered by the regulation, it means that companies must check that what they buy is sourced responsibly and does not contribute to conflict or other related illegal activities.<\/p>\n<p>Companies that practise due diligence initially check how risky it is to source raw materials from a fragile or conflict-affected area. They assess the likelihood that these raw materials could be financing conflict, forced labour or other risks set out in the regulation. By checking their supply chains, they can make sure that they manage these risks responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>The regulation builds on the 2011 OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, which sets the international benchmark for supply chain due diligence, and the 2014 joint communication \u2018Responsible sourcing of minerals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas: Towards an integrated EU approach\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Under the regulation, EU mineral importers must:<\/p>\n<p>identify and assess the risks in their mineral supply chain;<br \/>\nimplement a strategy to respond to these risks;<br \/>\ncarry out an independent third-party audit of supply chain due diligence;<br \/>\nreport annually on their policies and practices for responsible sourcing.<br \/>\nThe competent authorities of the EU Member States must carry out checks to ensure that EU mineral and metal importers comply with their due diligence obligations.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supply_chain_due_diligence_schemes\"><\/span>Supply chain due diligence schemes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Governments, industry associations and groups of interested organisations with due diligence schemes in place may apply to have their schemes recognised by the European Commission as complying with the regulation. A delegated act, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019\/429 sets out the methodology and criteria allowing the Commission to assess whether supply chain due diligence schemes concerning 3TG meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2017\/821, and to recognise such schemes.<br \/>\nThe Commission will establish a register of recognised supply chain due diligence schemes, publicly available on the internet, and a list of global responsible smelters and refiners.<br \/>\nGuidelines<\/p>\n<p>In consultation with the European External Action Service and the OECD, the Commission has prepared non-binding guidelines for economic operators that explain how best to apply the criteria for the identification of conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Recommendation (EU) 2018\/1149 provides in its Annex non-binding guidelines for the identification of conflict-affected and high-risk areas and other supply chain risks under Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Review\"><\/span>Review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By 1 January 2023 and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission will review the operation, effectiveness and impact of the new system, and will propose new measures in order to ensure a continuing responsible global supply chain for minerals.<\/p>\n<p>Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2017\/821<\/p>\n<p>Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020\/1588 amends Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 by setting volume thresholds for tantalum or niobium ores and concentrates, gold ores and concentrates, tin oxides and hydroxides, and tantalates and carbides of tantalum.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Application_Background\"><\/span>Application &amp; Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It has applied since 1 January 2021.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, see:<\/p>\n<p>Conflict minerals \u2014 the regulation explained (European Commission)<br \/>\nOECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD).<br \/>\nKEY TERMS<br \/>\nSmelters and refiners. Individuals or businesses performing forms of extractive metallurgy involving processing steps with the aim of producing a metal from a mineral.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MAIN_DOCUMENT\"><\/span>MAIN DOCUMENT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (OJ L 130, 19.5.2017, pp. 1\u201320).<\/p>\n<p>Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.<\/p>\n<p>RELATED DOCUMENTS<br \/>\nCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019\/429 of 11 January 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the methodology and criteria for the assessment and recognition of supply chain due diligence schemes concerning tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (OJ L 75, 19.3.2019, pp. 59\u201365).<\/p>\n<p>Commission Recommendation (EU) 2018\/1149 of 10 August 2018 on non-binding guidelines for the identification of conflict-affected and high-risk areas and other supply chain risks under Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 208, 17.8.2018, pp. 94\u2013106).<\/p>\n<p>Joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council \u2014 Responsible sourcing of minerals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas: Towards an integrated EU approach (JOIN(2014) 8 final, 5.3.2014).<\/p>\n<p>Commission staff working document assessment Part I (Impact Assessment) Accompanying the document Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union system for supply chain due diligence self-certification of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (SWD(2014) 53 final, 5.3.2014).<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council \u2014 The raw materials initiative: meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe (COM(2008) 699 final, 4.11.2008).<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-18001\" data-postid=\"18001\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-18001 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Responsible trade in minerals from high-risk or conflict areas Regulation (EU) 2017\/821 on the obligations of importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold from conflict-affected and high-risk areas The European Union (EU) regulation aims to: ensure that EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG) meet international responsible sourcing standards set [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[220],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18001"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18001"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18001\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18316,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18001\/revisions\/18316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}