Due diligence for conflict minerals.

Responsible supply chains for tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold

Due diligence for conflict minerals.

An enhanced measure of due diligence is required for so-called conflict minerals tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (known as 3TG by their initials), because mining and trading of these raw materials led to extensive and violent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring states – especially in the 2000s. 3TG have various use cases in a vehicle, e.g. as alloys or in the electronics.

We procure small quantities of tungsten directly from suppliers in the European Union. However, the majority of 3TG used in our vehicles is already contained in complex, processed parts. We nonetheless take our responsibility as an automobile manufacturer seriously, and promote responsible 3TG supply chains. With the Human Rights Respect System (HRRS), Mercedes-Benz has developed its own, systematic approach to preventing human rights violations in our supply chains.

In the case of conflict minerals we rely on international standards and initiatives. Accordingly, Mercedes-Benz is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) , which is committed to sustainable due diligence along the supply chains for 3TG and other minerals that are critical regarding human rights. The focus is on smelters and refineries, as here materials from different sources are mixed. It is therefore important to maintain supply chain due diligence obligations before the smelter. This is the aim of the RMI's "Responsible Minerals Assurance Process" (RMAP).

We expect suppliers whose products contain 3TG to exercise due diligence in their procurement. We have therefore made conformity with the requirements of the “Responsible Minerals Assurance Process” (RMAP) of the RMI mandatory for all Mercedes-Benz procurement contracts. With our contracts we commit our suppliers

  • only to use smelters in their supply chain, conforming with the RMAP,
  • to submit an annual Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) to the NQC  website and to ensure its accuracy,
  • and, on request, to remove smelters from their supply chain if they do not conform with the RMAP or have lost this status.