Dissemination of Results: Survey of Corporate Efforts and Resources Utilized to Comply with Dodd-Frank Section 1502

Following up Tulane’s initial October 2011 white paper that presented a model estimating the economic impact of the law and proposed rules, an additional survey querying companies affected by the Dodd-Frank Conflict Minerals statutory provision and implementing regulations under the US Securities and Exchange Commission was conducted in July and the beginning of August of 2013.  Through a short, anonymous, online-based survey, facts and numbers were gathered directly from the multitude of affected companies.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of the study was to gauge the manner and extent to which companies affected by Dodd-Frank Section 1502 are utilizing resources to achieve the requirements as stipulated by the SEC.  By offering companies the opportunity to report on their various efforts, as well as welcoming their opinions about perceived advantages, this study’s findings will allow stakeholders across the board to understand what companies are doing to realize conflict mineral programs in line with the requirements and appreciate the broader ramifications of the law.

Findings

Below is a presentation summarizing the survey's findings that was presented by Chris Bayer, Payson Center PhD candidate at the Global Conflict Minerals Symposium in Los Angeles, CA on August 22, 2013. The study bore out the following conclusions:

• Companies are steadily implementing main tasks required to comply with the SEC regulation
• Almost half of the companies are turning to external help with their CMP
• The majority of companies are opting to build rather than buy
• Companies are synergizing – to varying degrees – with information sharing platforms
• Generally don't accord much significance to  possible externalities of DFS1502

We wish to thank all companies that participated in the study.