In 2016, China Chamber of Commerce for Importers and Exporters of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals launched the "Responsible Cobalt Industry Initiative". The initiative is strongly supported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). At present, a number of companies in the supply chain are actively participating in the initiative to take joint action to promote the reduction of social and environmental risks in the cobalt supply chain. The initiative will give priority to addressing the worst forms of child Labour.
The company has now joined the organization and become the first founding members of the company together with Apple, Dell, Huawei, HP Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co., Ltd., Huawei Terminal Co., Ltd., HP, SONY Corp., L&F, Samsung SDI, Tianjin Bamo Technology Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Industry. Initiative members will work together to develop and implement a plan of action for the next 12 months, coordinated by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Cobalt Initiative has the following three objectives:
First of all, to upstream and downstream enterprises participating in the initiative agree with the China Responsible Mineral Supply Chain Management Guide and the OECD Mineral Due Diligence Guide in Conflict-Affected and High-risk Areas to ensure that their supply chain policies are consistent with the requirements of the guide, and gradually improve the transparency of supply chain and enhance supply chain governance capacity.
Second, to promote cooperation with the DRC government, civil society organizations and affected local communities to take action and/or support actions to jointly address and mitigate risks and challenges in the Cobalt supply chain.
Third, to establish common communication and communication strategies to effectively communicate work progress and results to affected communities, mining companies and the public, and coordinate work objectives and plans with other stakeholders.