Bureau Veritas Announces Conflict Minerals Services Portfolio

HOUSTON, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has announced a complete range of service solutions to address due diligence and compliance challenges related to conflict minerals. Bureau Veritas has also authored a free white paper to assist companies concerned by conflict minerals, most importantly those companies impacted by the Dodd-Frank Act (DFA) conflict minerals regulation.

In 2012, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its final rule to implement conflict minerals supply chain requirements set forth in DFA Section 1502, a law designed to discourage companies from doing business in ways that ultimately support exploitation and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. This regulation will affect a broad range of industries, including electronics, aerospace, automotive, industrial production, jewelry, medical devices, and more.

As the first SEC filing deadline of May 31, 2014 approaches, organizations need to ensure that their conflict minerals (tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold, or '3TG') due diligence systems are effective and meet Dodd-Frank requirements. The Bureau Veritas conflict minerals portfolio includes training courses, due diligence gap assessments, second- and third-party audits, chain of custody verification, and independent private sector audits (IPSA) of Conflict Minerals Reports (CMR). Bureau Veritas' global supply chain auditing experience and due diligence expertise provides clients with a uniquely qualified resource and an unrivaled offering in the conflict minerals arena.

Bureau Veritas' conflict minerals white paper provides an overview of conflict minerals, clear guidance through the compliance process, and a detailed treatment of the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals, the foundation of all conflict minerals due diligence systems. Bureau Veritas' white paper, On Conflict Minerals Challenges and Moving Beyond Compliance, can be downloaded for free at conflictminerals.us.bureauveritas.com.

"We are proud to launch this new portfolio of services to assist in compliance with DFA Section 1502. Bureau Veritas is optimistic about the collective ability to stop fueling conflict in the DRC region and believe this regulation can also strengthen processes for transparency and responsible sourcing practices. We proudly offer our expertise in due diligence frameworks, chain of custody standards, and supply chain transparency, and believe we are well-positioned to be a leading provider of conflict minerals services," said Jorge Hercules, Vice President, Bureau Veritas Certification.

ABOUT BUREAU VERITAS
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, specializing in quality; health, safety, and environment; and social responsibility.  Bureau Veritas' more than 60,000 employees across the globe provide industry, technical, and local expertise that is unsurpassed.  With 4,000 technical professionals in over 80 offices across the United States and operations in 900 offices in 140 countries, Bureau Veritas develops solutions that contribute to risk prevention and performance improvement to help organizations create long-term value through our technical and regulatory expertise.

SOURCE Bureau Veritas