From Jade West, Senior Vice President-Government Relations
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

If your company has been impacted by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Conflict Minerals Rule – Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act – you are probably aware that the SEC has invited new comments on this rule.

Specifically, Acting SEC Chairman Michael S. Piwowar released a statement on January 31st questioning the effectiveness of the rule and directing the SEC staff to “reconsider whether the 2014 guidance on the conflict minerals rule is still appropriate and whether any additional relief is appropriate.”

To read Chairman Piwowar’s statement and directive to the SEC staff, go to: https://www.sec.gov/corpfin/statement-on-sec-commission-conflict-minerals-rule.html

And go to: https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/reconsideration-of-conflict-minerals-rule-implementation.html

The Acting Chairman has invited comments from stakeholders and interested parties on reconsideration of the rule, and that comment period is open until March 31st.

NAW has filed a comment letter based on feedback we have received from impacted NAW members, and we would encourage you to also file a comment with the commission if you believe the rule should be reconsidered or rescinded.

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