The ITSCI Laundromat: How a Due Diligence Scheme Appears to Launder Conflict Minerals

The International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI), which has since 2009 aimed to provide companies who use tin, tantalum, and tungsten (the 3T) with a trusted supply chain, that is certified not to rely on abusive armed groups, child labor, or goods illicitly smuggled out of the Eastern DRC. But mechanisms for ensuring accuracy of the minerals are minimal, and the system for funding the oversight body depends on the volume of minerals tagged, creating an incentive for tagging all minerals. In many cases only 20 percent of minerals are accurately tagged, with the remainder thus illicitly entering the supply chain.

Read the Report

Security Topics:  Environment and Security   Natural Resources and Conflict