Conflict Minerals Resource Center Launches New 2014 Training Module

July 17, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Seven of the world's largest industry associations collaborated with Source Intelligence and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP to launch a web-based training module within the Conflict Minerals Resource Center (CMRC). The goal of the joint initiative is to deploy an easy-to-use conflict minerals training tool for suppliers in the seven associations’ industries. The training module is based on the best practices developed by leaders in these industries and their suppliers during the 2013 conflict minerals reporting period.

Prior to the training module launch, suppliers that utilized the CMRC resources to understand the requirements of conflict minerals compliance were informed and responded faster to customer requests for conflict minerals due diligence information than their uninformed counterparts, facilitating the ease of exchange of information between suppliers and their customers.

Key representatives from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association (FJATA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the National Retail Federation (NRF), the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) worked with Source Intelligence and Schulte Roth & Zabel to align training and resource center priorities to provide member companies with the information they need to comply with the SEC regulation.

The Conflict Minerals Resource Center (CMRC) educates companies that are impacted by challenges associated with engaging suppliers about Dodd-Frank Section 1502.  Members of the CMRC have access to up-to-date news and analysis, sample documents, and training videos.

To join the CMRC and access the NEW TRAINING MODULE for 2014, click here.

About the Associations

Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of $350 billion in annual U.S. retail sales.

The Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association (FJATA) represents the interests of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of jewelry and accessories. With more than 225 member brands, FJATA serves as the key voice on industry issues to state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, and actively promotes industry safety and compliance initiatives. Our members comprise a highly dynamic and competitive segment of the fashion industry, providing jewelry and accessories to adults and children worldwide.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 12 million men and women, contributes more than $2.03 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for two-thirds of private-sector research and development.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia, its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products used in the generation, transmission, distribution, and end use of electricity as well as medical diagnostic imaging. Worldwide annual sales of products in the NEMA scope exceed $140 billion.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. 

Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating, producing and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Association represents more than 600 companies that collectively account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including the development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) represents the fashion industry: textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally. Founded in 1989 as the United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel with the goal of eliminating the global apparel quota system, USFIA now works to eliminate the tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the industry’s ability to trade freely and create economic opportunities in the United States and abroad.

About the Contract Award Winners

About Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (www.srz.com):

Schulte Roth & Zabel ("SRZ") is a full-service law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and London, which regularly advises clients on corporate and transactional matters, as well as providing counsel on securities regulatory compliance, enforcement and investigative issues.

SRZ is a leader in global conflict minerals compliance. The firm is actively advising public and private companies and trade associations across a wide range of industries and throughout the supply chain on conflict minerals compliance. As part of its leadership in this area, SRZ has published more articles, Alerts and White Papers, participated in more programs and been quoted in the press significantly more than any other law firm. SRZ is also the only law firm with an Advanced Conflict Minerals Rule Compliance webinar series. This ongoing series features third-party experts and thought-leaders from across the compliance spectrum, including from the upstream, downstream, trade association, NGO, governmental and investor communities. New York-based partner Michael R. Littenberg heads up SRZ’s global public companies practice that includes the conflict minerals and corporate social responsibility and responsible sourcing practices.

About Source Intelligence® (www.sourceintelligence.com):

Source Intelligence® is the leading value chain risk management company that provides a SaaS platform to help customers make informed decisions about their business partners and suppliers, so they can offer products that meet legal, ethical, and environmental standards. Its cloud-based information and analytics platform provides customers with visibility into product supply chains and material sources.