MEPs from the Committee on International Trade have rejected a set of binding regulations for certain minerals extracted in conflict zones, in favour of a less ambitious system of self-certification, which would exclude some minerals entirely...The EU's smelters and refiners are the only industries that will be forced to use responsibly sourced minerals...This regulation, supported by the political right, is vehemently opposed by the left and the Greens, who had hoped for a system with binding standards at all stages in the supply chain...The...system also attracted harsh criticism from NGOs, who feel it lacks the teeth to hold the mineral extraction sector to account...[C]riticisms of the...proposal [also] hinged on its narrow scope...[T]he proposed new regulations...ignore many...conflict minerals, like emeralds from Colombia or copper, and jade and rubies from Burma...The proposed regulation will now be put before the European Parliament's plenary in May...