The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) has published its new Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT 4.0), a multi-industry tool designed to facilitate transfer of information throughout the supply chain in support of conflict-free sourcing. It includes an updated Standard Smelter List and numerous translation improvements.
A key update reflected in the CMRT 4.0 is the amendment of the question and answer language in the Declaration to conform to changes adopted by the IPC-1755 Conflict Minerals Data Exchange standard in March 2015. In addition, the Smelter Reference List now displays commonly used alternate names for smelters, as well as their city, province and country.
CFSI says these changes will assist CMRT users with confirming the identity of the smelters they are reporting. CFSI’s website contains a list of revisions from version 3.02 and a downloadable MS Excel version of the Standard Smelter List.
Companies can use CMRT 3.0, 3.01 or 3.02 versions for the collection of 2014 supply chain data, and the 3.02 version of the Standard Smelter List, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2015 where required. CMRT 4.0 is not recommended for filing 2014 supply chain data, but is designed for 2015 reporting, CFSI says.
“CFSI wants this tool to remain accessible across multiple types of software and operating systems, which is why we maintain its simplistic structure,” Tara Holeman, CFSI Audit Program Director, said in a statement. “It is critical that companies all over the world can talk to one another. The new CMRT keeps users abreast of the most recent changes to the IPC standard and has valuable improvements in the smelter list, which helps companies improve the accuracy of their disclosures.”
In January 2014, CFSI called on more companies to join over 120 businesses from seven different industries to become conflict-free. Shortly thereafter, the organization reported that it had validated conflict-free smelters or refiners of all four conflict minerals for the first time in its five-year history, and called on more smelters and refiners to join the effort to become conflict-free by undergoing CFSI’s conflict minerals audit.
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Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published May 5, 2015 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST