COBALT Supply Chain Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a rebuttable presumption that goods containing cobalt refined in the People’s Republic of China are produced with child or forced labor and should be blocked from U.S. markets. It focuses on cobalt used in batteries and electronics and links PRC control of DRC cobalt to human rights and national security risks.
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- U.S. importers and manufacturers would face a new CBP presumption that covered cobalt goods from the PRC are tainted by child or forced labor unless they supply clear and convincing evidence. The presumption becomes effective 180 days after enactment.
- Federal procurement would require annual certification that prior-year government vehicles contain no parts mined or made with child or forced labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Xinjiang. Agencies must produce certifications within 90 days and the Department of Defense has an exception.
- The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force would have 120 days to issue a detailed enforcement strategy identifying covered goods, PRC refiners, DRC mine operators, importers, and priority sectors, and to deploy traceability tools. The strategy sunsets after eight years or upon a presidential finding that forced and child labor in DRC mining has ended.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Plan to police cobalt supply chains
If enacted, within 120 days the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force would give Congress a cobalt enforcement plan. The plan would trace origins and third‑country routes, including Canada and Mexico, and list high‑risk goods and entities. It would set priority sectors, recommend tools, and identify resources needed for Customs. Updates would be unclassified, with optional classified annexes, and quarterly briefings. The requirement would end after eight years, or earlier if the President says DRC mining no longer uses child or forced labor.
Stricter import rules on cobalt goods
If enacted, 180 days after enactment, Customs would presume these goods used child or forced labor. Customs would block entry for goods containing cobalt refined in China. Importers could get an exception only with clear and convincing proof the goods lack China‑refined cobalt. If an exception is granted, Customs must post the evidence within 30 days. The bill also defines covered goods, child labor (under 18), forced labor, and artisanal mining.
Annual child-labor check for federal vehicles
If enacted, within 90 days and then each year, the President would certify federal vehicle purchases. The certification would say whether all non‑Defense vehicles bought last year were free of parts tied to child or forced labor in the DRC or Xinjiang. The report would go to Congress and the Federal Register. Members of Congress could request supply‑chain documents from DHS to back up the certification.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
AS • R
Sponsored 4/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov