Up to now, i haven't really been aware of this topic. - Until I happened to stumble upon an article in the FAZ reporting about the tragedy in the Congo. "Conflict free material" means raw materials which were produced without being involved in any conflicts. A new certificate which obliges american corporations to inform consumers about the origin of the raw materials which were used for the electronic instruments. Nevertheless, it's said to be very easy to acquire such a certificate. A little baksheesh stains every piece of paper with ink ...
Conflict free material
Artist: Roger Schmidt
published: Sunday, 29 Aug 2010
Homepage: http://www.karikatur-cartoon.de/
Keywords: Cartoon, laptop, computer, mobilphone, conflict, civil war
The aim of this certficate - "Conflict free material" - is the self control of the industry in order to build up trust at the consumer and reassure their conscience. Who should want to know that his or her cellular phone consists of raw materials which lead to bloody and cruel civil wars or make gangs use slaves to mine these raw materials? In the Congo villages which refuse to accept are burnt down and people frightened away, mutilated and murdered.