GOING GLOBAL GOING GLOBAL


LEADING ADVICE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM


Conflict minerals agreement reached as exemptions added


The European Union has taken a positive, step towards cleaning up Europe’s trade in minerals. The new agreement on so-called ‘conflict minerals’; minerals that are mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These minerals are known as the 3 T’s: tantalum, tin, tungsten & gold. Unfortunately, other valuable resources like diamonds and other precious stones won’t be checked. The new law only requires those companies importing raw minerals into the EU to carry out checks on their supply chains to see if they are funding armed groups or human rights abuses, meaning companies that bring the very same minerals into the EU as part of components and products, like mobile phones or cars, are let entirely off the hook.


However, the proposal is a welcome step


forward and regulations will send a strong message to a limited range of companies, trusting them to self-regulate. It is now up to those companies to make sure the trust is well founded; otherwise, lawmakers are set to act. The Regulators have accepted further


concessions from the original 2015 proposal, by allowing volume thresholds. These thresholds, that exempt companies from complying with legislation, are dangerous loopholes they could let minerals worth millions of Euros enter the EU free of any scrutiny—often those with the highest risk of being linked to conflict. The European Commission has agreed to


accredit private industry bodies to which companies have increasingly sought to outsource their obligations to check their supply chains.


Members of accredited industry bodies will benefit from limited oversight. In addition, companies will be encouraged to source from a list of “responsible” smelters and refiners, despite few mechanisms being put in place to actually assess the behaviour of all smelters and refiners. The Regulation will not come into force immediately, with legislators opting instead to insert a lengthy phase-in period. By itself, this trade Regulation cannot bring peace and prosperity to communities blighted by the resource curse. This is only the beginning of the process, not the end.


For more information on Conflict Minerals speak to Mike Court, Director, Micksan Consultancy. Offering bespoke International Solutions to Devon companies. Majcourt55@icloud.com


ZUZiMO is a restaurant, tapas bar located close to the city centre, Barbican & just a short walk from Plymouth Drake Circus shopping mall right next to Sutton Harbour.


Come in and relax with fresh, local & homemade dishes cooked by our chefs in styles from around the world.


We can accommodate up to 80 people at the time & our customers enjoy both individually or in big parties.


We are open for both lunch & dinner Tuesday - Friday 12:00-15:00/17:00-Late Saturday 12:00 till Late


We are closed on Sunday & Monday


Remember we can open for a table of 10 or more... Email: info@zuzimo.co.uk


Zuzimo Restaurant & Tapas, 153 Vauxhall Street Plymouth Devon PL4 0DF


March/April 2017 Chamber Profile 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40