Fair fashion is about fundamental rights An independent not-for-profit foundation, the Netherlands-headquartered Fair Wear s mandate is to work for a world where workers in the garment industry realise their rights to safe, dignified, properly paid employment. Claiming independence with a multi-stakeholder tripartite board in which business associations, trade unions and (labour) NGOs are equally represented, Fair Wear has been working actively since the outbreak of the pandemic to guide brands on issues related to responsible purchasing practices, loss of jobs, wage guidance, and ensuring safe workplaces. Fair Wear is working with 140+ member brands and it engages directly with factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments to find answers to problems which many could think are unsolvable.
[author: Vera Cherepanova, Studio Etica]
On January 1, 2021, the Conflict Minerals Regulation (EU Regulation 2017/821) came into full force across the EU. This new law aims to ensure that importers of certain materials originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas source these materials responsibly by laying down supply chain due diligence obligations.
With many jurisdictions actively seeking to implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) legislation, the supply chain risks associated with conflict minerals mining and trade cover a broad spectrum. Money laundering and corruption, child and forced labor, human trafficking, smuggling, and organized crime, as well as environmental damage, are all problems associated with minerals derived from politically unstable areas.
Investors cannot have confidence LBMA gold is free of human rights abuses
Responsible Gold Guidance should not be recognised
Recent changes signals to refiners rules can be bent
London Bullion Market Association s (LBMA) Responsible Sourcing Programme fails to prevent human rights abuses and illicit gold in its supply chain, according to an open letter signed by five civil society organisations (CSO).
Global Witness, Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID), SwissAid, Fastenopfer and Society for Threatened Peoples allege there are serious shortcomings in LBMA s Responsible Gold Guidance (RGG), which they argue is not aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains and falls short of the required standard and should not be recognised .
Switzerland: ESG reporting and due diligence requirements
On 29 November 2020, Swiss voters opted for the introduction of EU-style ESG reporting and due diligence requirements and against the so-called Responsible Business Initiative.
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In brief
On 29 November 2020, Swiss voters opted for the introduction of EU-style ESG reporting and due diligence requirements and against the so-called Responsible Business Initiative. While the initiative would have added teeth to the civil liability regime for the violation of international human rights and environmental standards across the supply chain, the substantive requirements regarding ESG reporting and due diligence across the extended enterprise are not any lighter under the chosen approach. We expect that affected companies will have to apply the new requirements in financial year 2023.
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TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - First Cobalt Corp. (TSXV:FCC) (OTCQX:FTSSF) (the Company ) is pleased to announce long-term cobalt hydroxide feed arrangements with Glencore AG and IXM SA, a fully owned subsidiary of CMOC, which will provide a total of 4,500 tonnes of contained cobalt per year to the First Cobalt Refinery commencing in 2022. Once operational, the First Cobalt Refinery will be North America s only producer of cobalt sulfate for the electric vehicle market.
Highlights
4,500 tonnes per year of contained cobalt to be provided from Glencore s KCC mine and CMOC s Tenke Fungurume mine
Supply agreements represent 90% of projected capacity for the Canadian refinery, yielding 22,250 tonnes per year of battery grade cobalt sulfate