The European Union’s ‘Conflict Minerals’ Regulation (CMR), which came into effect in January 2021, aims to prevent the trade in minerals that finance armed conflict and human rights abuses. By imposing due diligence obligations on EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (3TG) from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs), the regulation seeks to reduce the role of these minerals in fueling violence. However, both a formal evaluation by the European Commission and one conducted by civil society (IPIS/PAX, 2023), highlight significant shortcomings in the implementation and impact of the ‘Conflict Minerals’ Regulation. These findings show that the Regulation’s overall impact remains limited, primarily due to the insufficient engagement with stakeholders in producing countries, the lack of transparency in supply chains, and inconsistent enforcement across Member States. This policy paper explores these findings and offers recommendations to enhance the regulation’s effectiveness, addressing the ongoing challenges in the trade of the so-called ‘conflict minerals’ and highlighting the potential role of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in improving due diligence and supply chain transparency.

Further reading

The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation: High stakes, disappointing results | IPIS-PAX | October 2023

The EU Regulation on the responsible supply of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG) originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs) came into full force on 1 January 2021. Also known as the “Conflict Minerals” or “Responsible Minerals” Regulation, it aims to break the link between the exploitation and trade in 3TG on the one hand, and conflict […]

Joint NGO Statement: EU Conflict Minerals Regulation Failing to Reach Its Goals – 20 NGOs Call on the EU to Step Up Its Enforcement and Adopt New Measures

Due diligence and the risk of disengagement: Experiences from the mineral sector and a way forward for the CSDDD | IPIS-Solidaridad | December 2023

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is currently being negotiated by the European institutions. This long-awaited piece of legislation is expected to be finalised by early 2024. With the aim of holding companies operating in the EU accountable for the adverse human rights and environmental impacts of their operations and the impacts across their […]

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of the document are the sole responsibility of IPIS and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union