The EU Critical Raw Materials Act and the defence industry
July 8, 2025In recent years, the EU has reshaped its raw materials strategy in response to the energy transition, global supply chain competition, and a geopolitical environment marked by increasing defence concerns. The intersection between climate policy, industrial strategy and security policy has become increasingly apparent, particularly through the adoption of the Green Deal, the Critical Raw Materials
Due diligence in the arms sector: Possible implications of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
February 5, 2025The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), adopted in June 2024, represents a significant effort to enforce corporate accountability for human rights and environmental impacts. However, the Directive’s application to the arms sector is limited due to exclusions in downstream activities such as the sale and use of arms. These exclusions potentially create gaps in accountabilit
Human, economic and social costs of small arms and light weapons violence: selected global data
May 30, 2024This Briefing Paper provides selected global data and figures to highlight the massive global scale and impacts of violence and destabilization committed with small arms and light weapons (SALW) in both conflict and non-conflict settings. This briefing paper alsp includes the enormous economic and social costs, arising from the illicit circulation, diversion, frequent misuse, and inadequate regula
Due diligence and corporate accountability in the arms value chain
March 27, 2024Given the nature of the products commercialised by arms value chains, and their potentially devastating impacts on human dignity, states have a strict obligation to control operators in this economic sector. But is compliance with export controls sufficient for companies to assess risks to human rights? This report analyses the possibility and necessity of establishing corporate responsibility and
Small arms and light weapons transfer controls: Import, transit and trans-shipment
January 8, 2024The objective of strengthening controls on the transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is to ensure a more responsible trade, counter the illicit trade and prevent armed violence and conflict. To be effective SALW control is not limited to export control. Consignments of SALW as well as their ammunition, parts, and components, need to be controlled at all transfer points, including at the
Due diligence responsibilities of businesses involved in small arms and light weapons
September 18, 2023IPIS and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) have developed a Fact sheet on “Due Diligence Responsibilities of Businesses Involved in Small Arms and Light Weapons.” For over a decade, the international community has been developing guidelines for responsible business conduct for States and companies to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses committed in business operati
Post-shipment control of small arms and light weapons
October 24, 2022The illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, parts and components remains a serious international problem in many States. To prevent the illicit trade in conventional weapons and to prevent their diversion to the illicit market, all States have made commitments since 2001 to establish stronger systems that will ensure responsible control of arms transfers. A coher
Urban mining and e-waste exports: overview and recent initiatives
October 5, 2022As economies are increasingly looking into alternatives to virgin mining of natural resources to secure their supply of critical raw materials, recycling and the aim of a circular economy are high on the political agenda. A case in point is the recent announcement of an EU Critical Raw Materials Act envisioning, among others, the enhanced recovery of rare earth elements from waste streams. At the
E-learning: The Arms Trade Treaty
September 7, 2017In June 2017, IPIS launched its e-learning digital education package to support the early ratification and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the UNGA on 2 April 2013 and entered into force on 24 December 2014. There are currently 92 States Parties and 130 Signatories. Implementation of the Treaty is the responsibility of States Parties,
