More More By requiring human rights due diligence for cobalt, the Swiss counterproposal can reinforce the Congolese government's efforts to formalise artisanal cobalt production. It can also reassure buyers that Congolese cobalt is responsibly sourced and elevate its market acceptance. In concrete terms, this due diligence obligation would require companies involved in the cobalt supply chain, from mining companies to traders, refiners, and downstream companies, to collaborate with each other and with civil society organizations, governments, and academia to develop a single set of measurable standards and metrics that will help address human rights risks.Such a collaborative multi-stakeholder platform already exists under the Global Battery Alliance, an initiative that was launched through the World Economic Forum. A Swiss law that is inclusive of cobalt can provide critical incentives for the local implementation of such standards. If Switzerland doesn''t include cobalt in the new law, it will also be out of step with its neighbours. The EU has already proposed regulation on batteries (EU 2019/2020), which is expected to become another part of an EU-wide, legally binding regulatory system on corporate accountability by the end of the year.It requires mandatory supply chain due diligence for metals and minerals used in battery manufacturing, including for cobalt.With consultations on the Swiss law ending in mid-July, now is the time for the government to ensure future mobility is not only clean but also respectful of human rights. Articles in this story MENAFN04062021000210011054ID1102210741