Deadline for conflict mineral reporting passes

   Today is the deadline for shippers to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission the presence of “conflict minerals” in their supply chains in accordance with the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
   The act requires that stock-exhcange-listed companies track the sources of gold, tungsten, tantalum and tin, telling the SEC if these minerals are coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo or neighboring countries, which would potentially make them conflict minerals.  
   “For years, electronics, jewelry, and other companies turned a blind eye to what was inside their supply chains. With today’s filings to the SEC, they can no longer do that,” John Prendergast, the co-founder of  Center for American Progress’ Enough Project, said in a statement.
   “From now on,” he continued, “consumers can look under the hood and judge for themselves whether the maker of their smart phone or necklace is getting rid of blood minerals from Congo and make an informed choice when they go shopping.”