Question 1

What is the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, and who is required to comply?

Accepted Answer

The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation is a European Union law that came into effect on January 1, 2021. It requires EU importers of conflict minerals — specifically tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (3TGs) — to conduct due diligence to ensure their sourcing does not contribute to armed conflict or human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or other conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs). Importers must assess smelters and refiners in their supply chains and submit appropriate conflict minerals declarations.

Question 2

What is a Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) and how is it used?

Accepted Answer

The CMRT is a standardized document developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). It is used to collect information about smelters and refiners from suppliers and forms the backbone of most conflict minerals compliance programs. Companies use the CMRT to track the source of conflict minerals in their products and report data as required under regulations like the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation and Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act.

Question 3

Does cobalt count as a conflict mineral under the European Union regulation?

Accepted Answer

Cobalt is currently not classified as a conflict mineral under the EU regulation on conflict minerals, which focuses specifically on tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. However, cobalt has increasingly come under scrutiny due to its sourcing risks, particularly in the DRC, and may be included in future regulatory updates or voluntary disclosure frameworks.

Question 4

How can conflict minerals compliance software support your reporting efforts?

Accepted Answer

Conflict minerals software helps automate supplier outreach, CMRT data collection, smelter risk scoring, and report generation. Advanced tools such as those offered by Assent enable companies to simplify compliance with the European Union Conflict Minerals Regulation while reducing the administrative burden. This software is especially valuable for complex manufacturers managing high volumes of supplier data across global operations.

Question 5

What does a conflict minerals compliance program typically include?

Accepted Answer

A robust conflict minerals compliance program includes several key elements:Identifying in-scope products and suppliersCollecting supplier declarations on material origins (e.g. by gathering CMRTs)Conducting risk assessments on smelters and refinersAuditing data for accuracyPublishing a conflict minerals reportThese steps help companies meet regulatory obligations and support ethical sourcing across their global supply chains.

Question 6

How can conflict minerals compliance software support your reporting efforts?

Accepted Answer

Conflict minerals software helps automate supplier outreach, CMRT data collection, smelter risk scoring, and report generation. Advanced tools such as those offered by Assent enable companies to simplify compliance with the European Union Conflict Minerals Regulation while reducing the administrative burden. This software is especially valuable for complex manufacturers managing high volumes of supplier data across global operations.

Question 7

What are EPR requirements for manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

EPR requirements hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including end-of-life waste management. In the U.S., EPR laws often apply to packaging and require manufacturers to report recyclability, track substances of concern, and cover recycling costs instead of taxpayers.

Question 8

How do EPR laws affect U.S. manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

EPR laws are expanding across more than 35 U.S. states. They create a fragmented regulatory landscape where requirements vary by jurisdiction. Manufacturers must adapt by building strong compliance systems, collecting supply chain data, and designing products with sustainability and recyclability in mind.

Question 9

What is an EPR solution?

Accepted Answer

An EPR solution helps companies manage compliance and sustainability by automating reporting, centralizing data collection, and mapping obligations across multiple jurisdictions. The right EPR solution reduces costs, ensures market access, and supports long-term sustainability goals. Assent has an EPR solution that helps you meet your EPR deadlines and engage your suppliers for critical information required for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

Question 10

What steps should I take to get started with EPR compliance?

Accepted Answer

Manufacturers should begin by mapping which EPR laws apply to their products and packaging, building a reliable data foundation across their supply chain, and engaging suppliers to gather recyclability and substance data. From there, implementing an EPR solution to automate reporting and integrate compliance insights into product design helps ensure long-term readiness.

Question 11

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

Accepted Answer

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory approach that shifts the responsibility for managing a product’s end-of-life—from governments and taxpayers—onto the producers. Manufacturers are required to cover costs for collection, recycling, and safe disposal, and may also need to design products with sustainability and recyclability in mind.

Question 12

Why should U.S. manufacturers care about EPR now?

Accepted Answer

EPR is no longer limited to the EU. The U.S. already has 146 EPR laws across 35 states, with packaging rules expanding rapidly in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado. Manufacturers face growing compliance fees, reporting requirements, and recycling targets, making it critical to build EPR programs now.

Question 13

How can companies manage EPR compliance effectively?

Accepted Answer

To comply with EPR, companies need strong supply chain visibility, accurate materials data, and systems for reporting across multiple jurisdictions. Platforms like Assent simplify compliance by collecting supplier data, managing reporting workflows, and preparing documentation for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

Question 14

What is the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, and who is required to comply?

Accepted Answer

The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation is a European Union law that came into effect on January 1, 2021. It requires EU importers of conflict minerals — specifically tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (3TGs) — to conduct due diligence to ensure their sourcing does not contribute to armed conflict or human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or other conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs). Importers must assess smelters and refiners in their supply chains and submit appropriate conflict minerals declarations.

Question 15

What is a Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) and how is it used?

Accepted Answer

The CMRT is a standardized document developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). It is used to collect information about smelters and refiners from suppliers and forms the backbone of most conflict minerals compliance programs. Companies use the CMRT to track the source of conflict minerals in their products and report data as required under regulations like the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation and Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act.

Question 16

Does cobalt count as a conflict mineral under the European Union regulation?

Accepted Answer

Cobalt is currently not classified as a conflict mineral under the EU regulation on conflict minerals, which focuses specifically on tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. However, cobalt has increasingly come under scrutiny due to its sourcing risks, particularly in the DRC, and may be included in future regulatory updates or voluntary disclosure frameworks.

Question 17

How can conflict minerals compliance software support your reporting efforts?

Accepted Answer

Conflict minerals software helps automate supplier outreach, CMRT data collection, smelter risk scoring, and report generation. Advanced tools such as those offered by Assent enable companies to simplify compliance with the European Union Conflict Minerals Regulation while reducing the administrative burden. This software is especially valuable for complex manufacturers managing high volumes of supplier data across global operations.

Question 18

What does a conflict minerals compliance program typically include?

Accepted Answer

A robust conflict minerals compliance program includes several key elements:Identifying in-scope products and suppliersCollecting supplier declarations on material origins (e.g. by gathering CMRTs)Conducting risk assessments on smelters and refinersAuditing data for accuracyPublishing a conflict minerals reportThese steps help companies meet regulatory obligations and support ethical sourcing across their global supply chains.

Question 19

How can conflict minerals compliance software support your reporting efforts?

Accepted Answer

Conflict minerals software helps automate supplier outreach, CMRT data collection, smelter risk scoring, and report generation. Advanced tools such as those offered by Assent enable companies to simplify compliance with the European Union Conflict Minerals Regulation while reducing the administrative burden. This software is especially valuable for complex manufacturers managing high volumes of supplier data across global operations.

Question 20

What are EPR requirements for manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

EPR requirements hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including end-of-life waste management. In the U.S., EPR laws often apply to packaging and require manufacturers to report recyclability, track substances of concern, and cover recycling costs instead of taxpayers.

Question 21

How do EPR laws affect U.S. manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

EPR laws are expanding across more than 35 U.S. states. They create a fragmented regulatory landscape where requirements vary by jurisdiction. Manufacturers must adapt by building strong compliance systems, collecting supply chain data, and designing products with sustainability and recyclability in mind.

Question 22

What is an EPR solution?

Accepted Answer

An EPR solution helps companies manage compliance and sustainability by automating reporting, centralizing data collection, and mapping obligations across multiple jurisdictions. The right EPR solution reduces costs, ensures market access, and supports long-term sustainability goals. Assent has an EPR solution that helps you meet your EPR deadlines and engage your suppliers for critical information required for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

Question 23

What steps should I take to get started with EPR compliance?

Accepted Answer

Manufacturers should begin by mapping which EPR laws apply to their products and packaging, building a reliable data foundation across their supply chain, and engaging suppliers to gather recyclability and substance data. From there, implementing an EPR solution to automate reporting and integrate compliance insights into product design helps ensure long-term readiness.

Question 24

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

Accepted Answer

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory approach that shifts the responsibility for managing a product’s end-of-life—from governments and taxpayers—onto the producers. Manufacturers are required to cover costs for collection, recycling, and safe disposal, and may also need to design products with sustainability and recyclability in mind.

Question 25

Why should U.S. manufacturers care about EPR now?

Accepted Answer

EPR is no longer limited to the EU. The U.S. already has 146 EPR laws across 35 states, with packaging rules expanding rapidly in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado. Manufacturers face growing compliance fees, reporting requirements, and recycling targets, making it critical to build EPR programs now.

Question 26

How can companies manage EPR compliance effectively?

Accepted Answer

To comply with EPR, companies need strong supply chain visibility, accurate materials data, and systems for reporting across multiple jurisdictions. Platforms like Assent simplify compliance by collecting supplier data, managing reporting workflows, and preparing documentation for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

Newsroom

News Releases

Filter by:

AI & Your Sustainable Supply Chain: Perspectives on Technology With Verdantix

The IMI Roadmap to Supply Chain Sustainability With Assent

News Coverage

Filter by:

AI & Your Sustainable Supply Chain: Perspectives on Technology With Verdantix

The IMI Roadmap to Supply Chain Sustainability With Assent

Media Sources

Media Contact

Still Exploring?