What does Preamble of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This bill aims to restrict goods made with cobalt refined in China from entering the US market. The restriction is due to presumed use of child and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives and referred to several committees.

What does SHORT TITLE. of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``China's Odious and Brutally Atrocious Labor Trafficking Supply Chain Act`` or the ``COBALT Supply Chain Act``.

What does FINDINGS. of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section outlines findings related to cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries. Global demand for lithium and cobalt is projected to increase significantly by 2040, driven by the growth of electric vehicles. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds over half of the world's cobalt resources and supplied approximately 70% of global mine production in 2021. Chinese companies own or finance a significant portion of cobalt mines in the DRC and hold a near monopoly in the DRC's cobalt sector. The mining industry in the DRC faces challenges including child labor, forced labor, worker safety concerns, and environmental degradation. A substantial portion of cobalt from the DRC is produced through artisanal and small-scale mining, employing a significant number of workers, including children. Artisanal cobalt production is primarily exported to China or processed by Chinese firms within the DRC. The U.S. State Department has identified ongoing concerns regarding trafficking and labor practices in the DRC's mining sector, noting limited progress in certification and training. U.S. law prohibits the import of goods produced using forced labor, including child labor, under Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

What does STATEMENT OF POLICY. of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section states the policy of the United States regarding the PRC and labor practices. The policy aims to prevent the PRC from undermining labor law enforcement. It seeks to end child and forced labor practices globally. The US will coordinate with Mexico and Canada to implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The PRC's dominance in DRC's cobalt extraction is considered a national security concern.

What does REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT COVERED GOODS ARE GOODS THAT ARE of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section establishes a rebuttable presumption that covered goods were made with forced labor or child labor. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall prohibit the entry of goods subject to this presumption, consistent with section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930. An exception to this prohibition applies if an importer demonstrates, by clear and convincing evidence, that the goods do not contain cobalt refined in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Commissioner must report any determination applying this exception to congressional committees and make it publicly available within 30 days. The Commissioner is authorized to issue regulations to implement this section. This section becomes effective 180 days after the Act's enactment. This section does not limit existing regulations or measures preventing the import of goods made with forced labor.

What does ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS CHILD LABOR AND FORCED LABOR of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section requires the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to submit a report to congressional committees with an enforcement strategy to address child labor and forced labor in covered goods. The report must include measures to trace the origin of goods, ensure supply chain transparency, and prevent covered goods from entering the United States. The strategy must also address child labor and forced labor in the mining, production, smelting, or processing of metals or minerals, particularly cobalt and lithium, in the DRC. The Task Force must provide quarterly briefings to congressional committees on updates to the strategy and actions taken to address the importation of covered goods. This section will cease to have effect after 8 years or when the President determines that child labor and forced labor in the DRC mining industry has ended.

What does CERTIFICATION THAT FEDERAL VEHICLE PURCHASES ARE FREE OF PARTS of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section requires the President to certify annually, starting 90 days after enactment, that vehicles purchased by the U.S. Government are free of parts made or mined with child or forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The Department of Defense is exempt from this certification requirement. The President must submit the certification to congressional committees and publish it in the Federal Register. Documentation mapping the supply chains of vehicles and parts purchased by the U.S. Government must be available to Members of Congress upon request from the Department of Homeland Security.

What does DEFINITIONS. of COBALT Supply Chain Act do?

This section defines terms used in the Act Definitions include 'appropriate congressional committees', 'artisanal and small-scale mining', and 'child labor' Terms also defined are 'covered goods', 'DRC', 'forced labor', and 'PRC'

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COBALT Supply Chain Act

Last updated: 3/24/2025 · Introduced: 3/24/2025

Author: Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a presumption that goods containing cobalt refined in China were produced using forced labor or child labor, restricting their import into the United States.
Importers can avoid this restriction by providing clear and convincing evidence that the cobalt was not refined in China.
The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force must develop and report on a strategy to trace the origin of goods, ensure supply chain transparency, and prevent the importation of goods linked to child or forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The President must annually certify that U.S. government vehicle purchases are free of parts made or mined with child or forced labor in the DRC or the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), with the Department of Defense exempt.
The bill declares a policy to prevent the People's Republic of China (PRC) from undermining labor law enforcement and to end child and forced labor practices globally, considering the PRC's dominance in DRC's cobalt extraction a national security concern.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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