Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001549/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Leire Pajín (S&D)
Human rights organisations have reported thousands of instances of child labour in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which form part of the production chains of large technology companies operating in the EU.
EU law expressly prohibits child labour and the importing of products made with forced labour. The Due Diligence Directive should help many companies operating in the EU to address the consequences of their actions on human rights and the environment in their production chains, both within and outside the EU.
These measures may not be sufficient to uphold human rights throughout the supply chains of companies operating in the EU.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Does the EU import cobalt products from mines in the DRC where child labour is used?
- 2.What measures does the Commission plan to take to prevent products manufactured using forced labour from entering the EU market?
- 3.What exactly will the guidelines to be issued by the Commission entail to ensure that companies comply with the Due Diligence Directive?
Submitted: 26.8.2024
