NL – Extractives, 2nd NAP

Pillar I

Including ‘business and human rights’ in the Netherlands’ foreign policy

Integrating responsibilities in conflict areas and fragile states into policy

“The Netherlands is committed to collaborating with other donors and organisations in making joint analyses which include a gender dimension. An example here is Dutch investment in the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Conflict Affected States in Africa (CASA) initiative. A conflict-sensitive approach to private sector development was central in the 13 fragile states in which this IFC project was implemented. Furthermore, the European Conflict Minerals Regulation, which came into effect in January 2021, requires all EU businesses importing certain metals and minerals to apply due diligence. All EU member states must appoint a national supervisory authority to monitor businesses’ compliance with this Regulation. In the Netherlands this is the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). Regular meetings between the European Commission and member states aim to ensure uniform implementation of the Regulation.” p. 43.

“The main conflict minerals are tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. These are defined as conflict minerals because they are often extracted in unstable regions and there is a link between extraction activities and abuses such as violence and forced labour. Mining and illegal trade is often in the hands of armed groups which finance their activities from the proceeds. (EU website). The ILT was assigned this task in the Conflict Minerals Regulation Implementation Act.” footnote p. 43.

Pillar II

Due diligence at EU level

“In addition to this legislative proposal on reporting [The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive], the inclusion of a due diligence process is an approach used in several EU instruments, such as the proposal for an EU Regulation to combat deforestation, the planned Batteries Regulation and the Conflict Minerals Regulation referred to above.” p. 55

Pillar III

Improving the provision of information to businesses

“Internationally the government will participate in the benchmarking efforts of the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) on access to remedy by large enterprises in the agricultural, textile, mineral and ICT producing industries.” p. 65.