GE recently released the summary GE’s Response to Conflict Minerals as part of an ongoing supply-chain due-diligence program. Since 2009, the Company has joined in a multi-stakeholder dialogue regarding conflict minerals with nongovernmental organization (NGOs), socially responsible investors and peer companies. GE has also funded and participated in a range of programs that addresses the issue. Several of these programs promote cross-industry due diligence, including:
- The Conflict Free Smelter Program (CFS), which certifies smelters that do not use conflict minerals;
- The Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade, which supports projects to develop conflict-free minerals supply chains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and
- The OECD downstream due diligence pilot, in which nearly 30 companies tested the implementation of the OECD Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
The GE Foundation also works directly on the ground with NGOs in the DRC that strive to provide hands-on support to ending the human rights violations. GE remains committed to working toward the elimination of conflict-supporting minerals in its products while also minimizing unintended consequences for legitimate miners and their dependents through these and other programs.
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