Automotive Industry Accelerates Conflict Minerals Transparency Efforts with New Reporting Tool

AIAG and iPoint Launch Web-based Platform to Help Companies Source Minerals Responsibly

SOUTHFIELD, MI--Sept. 6, 2012: AIAG and iPoint today announced that a working group with representatives from two dozen AIAG member companies -- including automotive industry OEMs and suppliers such as Bosch, Chrysler Group, Ford, and Honda -- collaborated at AIAG on the development of the iPoint Conflict Minerals Platform (iPCMP), the first web-based data management tool that will help supply chain participants, in all industries, to identify whether their products contain "conflict minerals." The iPCMP will help companies in sourcing responsibly, which is a priority for the industry.  It will also help companies meet the "conflict minerals" due diligence requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related rules from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"We anticipated the need from our member companies and worked with them to develop a system that is endorsed across and beyond the automotive industry that will help everyone achieve greater supply chain transparency," said Tanya Bolden, AIAG's corporate responsibility program development manager.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands companies worldwide from multiple industries and sectors may need to comply with the "conflict minerals" reporting requirements. AIAG and iPoint also collaborated with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) in developing the iPCMP, which is based on the EICC-GeSI template for data collection.

"The platform is based on iPoint's experience creating and implementing product-related environmental compliance solutions within the value chain and it is an important part of our holistic sustainable supply chain approach," said Jorg Walden, CEO of iPoint.