USCIB’s critical minerals issue lead Kristen Edgreen Kaufman speaks at the UN.

USCIB’s critical minerals issue lead Kristen Edgreen Kaufman speaks at the UN.

Critical minerals sit at the intersection of nearly every USCIB policy area, making them one of our most cross-cutting priorities. Our policy experts work hand-in-hand with member companies and global policy makers to engage in multilateral discussions and negotiations on critical minerals supply and governance, with a particular emphasis on advancing circular economy initiatives.

What’s at Stake for US Business

Key issues include:

  • Access to essential materials from primary and secondary sources
  • Investment incentives and safeguards
  • Supply chain resiliency
  • Human rights and supply chain reporting requirements
  • Customs and tax treatment
  • Environmental and biodiversity implications
  • National security considerations

Multilateral Forums for Circular Economy of Critical Minerals:

  • The Basel Convention, which shapes how e-waste is recycled worldwide, isa global treaty regulating the cross-border movement of hazardous waste. There is growing momentum for rules that would restrict US companies’ access to critical materials in the secondary (recycled) market.
  • OECD Working Party on Resource Productivity & Waste (WPRWP): There is a growing push to place restrictions on circular-economy flows on critical materials and minerals from secondary markets, potentially limiting US companies’ ability to access these resources through secondary channels.
  • OECD’s inaugural Critical Minerals Forum: USCIB will lead a multi‑sectoral member delegation to Istanbul to advance US business perspectives in ongoing standards‑setting initiatives related to critical materials and rare earths.

USCIB Actions

  • Represent member interests at the OECD, UN, and other multilateral fora on policies affecting US companies’ critical materials supply chains.
  • Engage in the OECD Critical Minerals Action Plan to diversify supply chains and advance circularity for critical minerals used in clean energy and advanced electronics.
  • Monitor and advocate for US business access to critical materials from secondary/recycled sources, pushing back against restrictive global policies.
  • Bridge US and global governments with the private sector to ensure industry voices are heard on circular economy issues.
  • Engage at the Basel Convention and OECD Working Party on Resource Productivity and Waste.
  • Lead a multi-sectoral USCIB member delegation to the OECD’s inaugural Critical Minerals Forum in Istanbul.
Meeting Location Dates
OECD inaugural Critical Minerals Summit Istanbul, Türkiye April 28-29, 2026
OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains Paris, France May 10-14, 2027
OECD Working Party on Resource Productivity & Waste (WPRPW) Paris, France June 17-18 & November 17-19, 2026
OECD/USCIB International Tax Conference Washington, DC June 21-23, 2026
Basel Convention technical meetings Geneva, Switzerland June 23-26, 2026
ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Doha, Qatar November 9-27, 2026
The Global Framework on Chemicals – First International Conference Geneva, Switzerland November 16-20, 2026
UN Business and Human Rights Treaty Geneva, Switzerland November 23-27, 2026

Chair

Vacant

Staff

Kristen Kaufman
Senior Vice President, Global Impact Initiatives
kaufman@uscib.org

Courtney Brown
Administrative Assistant, Policy
cbrown@uscib.org

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