Industry Launches First Integrated Conflict Minerals and RoHS, REACH Web Database for Suppliers

BATH, England, February 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The SEC's conflict mineral rule requires US-listed companies to disclose whether their products contain certain metals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold) and whether these metals originate from rebel-held mines which are funding armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) region.  As most SEC reporting companies prepare to file "DRC conflict undeterminable" on 31 May 2014 for the 2013 reporting period, the BOMcheck Industry Steering Group has today launched the world's most advanced conflict minerals web database system to prepare for the 2015 reporting period when large SEC reporting companies must file "DRC conflict free" or "Not DRC conflict free". Join one of the free webinars on March 6 at 9.00am Central European Time or 11.00am US Eastern Time to see a detailed demonstration.    

Extensive feedback on data management challenges with other web platforms has helped industry develop the first web database which:

• Provides one integrated tool for suppliers to upload theirhttp://www.conflictfreesmelter.org/documents/EICCGeSIDDtemplate-rev2.03aFinal.xls EICC GeSI Conflict Minerals Reporting Templates at the part level or company level at the same time as they publish materials declarations for RoHS, REACH and other regulated substances.  No need to re-type data into another web tool.
• Validates the data in the supplier's EICC GeSI Conflict Minerals Reporting Template and provides immediate detailed feedback to help the supplier correct any data validation errors which are preventing upload.  This saves time and cost for suppliers and manufacturers.  
• Works in partnership with the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative to validate any new smelters which suppliers identify so that they can be added to the smelter list and invited to join the Conflict-Free Smelter Program.
• Enables manufacturers to leverage the Conflict-Free Smelter Program and the upcoming EU Responsible Sourcing Regulations to work towards "DRC conflict free" status by 2015.

Companies can find out more by:

• Downloading the free industry White Paper.
• Registering for one of the free webinars on March 6 at 9.00am Central European Time or 11.00am US Eastern Time to see a detailed demonstration.
• Visiting the BOMcheck exhibition stands at the Chemical Watch Global Supply Chain Workshop in Brussels on 11 / 12 March and the 13^th Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Workshop in Brussels on 17 / 18 March  
• Contacting [email protected] to arrange a one-to-one demonstration at the IPC APEX EXPO in Las Vegas, 24 to 27 March

BOMcheck is an industry collaboration led by Philips, Siemens, GE, Osram, Sony Mobile, Schneider Electric, Toshiba, Agfa, Texas Instruments and TE Connectivity to share one web database to manage supply chain compliance.   BOMcheck is highlighted in corporate videos produced by Siemens and Philips and is currently used by over 560 manufacturers to gather materials declarations from over 3,500 suppliers worldwide for more than 1.6 million parts. The system is supported by SGS which uses BOMcheck to provide EN 50581 RoHS compliance assessment services.  

About ENVIRON

BOMcheck is managed by leading international consultancy ENVIRON which also co-chairs the IPC 1752A materials declaration standard and serves as EMEA regional coordinator for the IEC 62474 materials declaration standard.  The firm offers environmental, health, safety and sustainability services through an interdisciplinary network of more than 1,500 consultants operating from 88 offices in 19 countries worldwide. http://www.environcorp.com.

SOURCE ENVIRON