Special Conference on Critical Minerals
Join us on May 13 at the OECD Conference Center for an event focused on critical minerals and the vital role of standards and traceability in supply chains. Registration for this event is now closed.
Circular economy
Registration for this event is now closed.
CONFERENCE
Critical minerals:
the key role of standards and traceability in supply chains
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
OECD Conference Center
2 André Pascal Street, Paris, 75016
Against a backdrop of the energy transition and growing geopolitical instability, global demand for so-called “critical” minerals (notably lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements) is surging, raising significant concerns about supply security.
Transparency and traceability in these supply chains are therefore essential to contributing to sustainable economic development and strengthening responsible and resilient value chains. The G7 seeks to promote standards-based markets, where traceability plays a key role—provided it is integrated into a coherent framework of international standards. A new OECD report, “Building Resilience Through Traceability,” outlines concrete steps to improve the resilience of critical mineral supply chains through targeted traceability that balances feasibility and effectiveness, while prioritizing strategic materials.
What is the current regulatory framework? How do ISO standards help strengthen the structuring of supply chains through harmonized technical definitions? How do they align with the OECD’s legal instruments on responsible business conduct, many of which are incorporated into regulations aimed at mitigating risks associated with mineral sourcing? How does traceability ensure the transparency and resilience of supply chains? What are the challenges? What are the limitations?
These are all questions that will be addressed at the special conference organized by AFNOR and the OECD on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Featuring presentations by, among others:
- Benjamin GALLEZOT , Interministerial Delegate for the Procurement of Strategic Minerals and Metals, France
- Mercé FERRES HERNANDEZ , Technical Program Manager, ISO
- Andreas SCHAAL , G7 Sherpa and Director, Directorate for Global Relations and Cooperation, OECD
- Hannah KOEP-ANDRIEU , Team Leader, Due Diligence, Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, OECD
- Donia BENIDER , Standardization Project Manager, AFNOR Standardization
- Daniel MONFORT , Research Engineer, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)
An event organized by AFNOR Standardization and the OECD and co-funded by the European Union.
