On August 22, 2012, the SEC issued a Final Rule requiring supply chain tracking and reporting of the origins of tin, gold, tantalum, and tungsten, including when present in finished goods incorporating these materials.  Such “conflict minerals” originate from conflict-ridden countries in Central Africa, the mines of which are often controlled by militia groups using violence, forced child labor, and rape in connection with the extraction of these minerals.

An origin review must be part of a manufacturer’s (or contractor’s) SEC report when a conflict mineral is necessary to the functionality or production of any of their goods.  The information must also be available on the company’s internet site.

Click here for SEC Press Release, which includes a link to the final decision. (note this is over 300 pages) http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2012/2012-163.htm

Date:        Thursday, September 27, 2012

Time:    4:00 – 5:00 p.m.   Speaker Event

                   5:00 – 6:00 p.m.   Reception

Location:  Chicago-Kent College of Law – 10th Floor

Panelists:

Gwendolyn L. Hassan, Manager of Corporate Compliance at Navistar, Inc.

Eric Stovall, Principal at and Regional and Industrial Leader on Conflict Minerals for KPMG

Bartram S. Brown, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Program in International and Comparative Law

Price:  Free for Students; $20 (Members); $35 (Non-Members)

Sponsors:

– Organization of Women in International Trade, Chicago Chapter (OWIT),

– International Law Students Association at Chicago-Kent (ILSA), and

– International & Foreign Law Committee of the CBA’s Young Lawyer Section