A group supporting “conflict-free” electronics is creating PR headaches...

A group supporting “conflict-free” electronics is creating PR headaches for consumer electronics companies this week via a Facebook campaign to urge manufacturers to track the use of certain materials in CE products. Sharp was the day-two target Wednesday in Jewish World Watch’s Facebook crusade demanding “conflict-free products” as part of the organization’s overall effort to “build a world without genocide.” The conflict-free products campaign is targeted at the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which, according to JWW, is being funded by the “trade in tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold,” key minerals used in some electronics. Canon was the featured manufacturer on Tuesday, when JWW members were urged to “like” the company’s Facebook page and then post a call to action. According to JWW, armed groups in eastern Congo generate an estimated $144 million each year by trading the ore minerals that produce tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, which are used in cell phones, portable music players, computers and a “plethora of other electronics” worldwide. Because of the “lack of a transparent minerals supply chain,” American consumers may be “unwittingly financing armed groups that regularly commit atrocities and mass rape,” JWW said. The organization is asking manufacturers to ensure minerals they purchase “aren’t passing through tainted hands,” and urges companies not to leave Congo but to help “strengthen legitimate mining in Congo.” On its website, JWW urges major electronics companies, “the biggest buyers of Congolese minerals,” to sign a pledge ensuring consumers that their products are “conflict-free.” Other target companies include Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Lenovo, IBM, SanDisk, Intel, Philips, Microsoft, Panasonic, LG, RIM, Apple, Dell, HP, Nintendo, Acer and Toshiba.