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- Info
West Virginians for Sustainable Development v Rockwool
Case overview
| Date filed |
23
October
2019
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| Current status |
Filed
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| Issue |
Rockwool building mineral wool mine in West Virginia
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| Summary of the case |
On 23 October 2019 a specific instance was filed by West Virginians for Sustainable Development (WVSD) against Rockwool Group International A/S and its subsidiary ROXUL USA Inc (together, ‘Rockwool’) at the Danish NCP. The complaint concerns activities of Rockwool in Jefferson County, West Virginia related to the proposed mineral wool factory. It is joined and supported by civil society organisations and elected officials representing a cross section of those affected by the construction and operation of the Rockwool factory. The complainants allege that Rockwool has neglected the recommended principles and standards of conduct associated with good corporate citizenship and has violated several of the General Policies set out in the OECD Guidelines. The complaint is focused on three primary areas of concern: political improprieties; air quality risks; and water quality risks associated with the proposed Rockwool factory. The complainants contend that these violations create significant risk to the environmental and social wellbeing of Jefferson County, West Virginia and the surrounding region.
In July 2017, Rockwool announced that it would build a mineral wool manufacturing facility in Jefferson County, West Virginia. By the summer of 2018, the public had become more aware of the likely environmental and human health impacts of the factory and began organising to block its construction and operation. The complaint to the Danish NCP is being filed after many months of pursuing other legal and political mechanisms to stop or otherwise improve the project.
Complainants are asking that Rockwool immediately stops construction of the factory and returns the site to as close to its original condition as practical. If Rockwool refuses to do this, the complainants request that Rockwool stops construction of the factory until a number of remedies are agreed to and implemented. These include the use of a cleaner burning electric arc furnace, conducting an independent human health and environmental risk assessments, and additional air and water quality monitoring.
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| Developments/Outcome |
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| Relevant OECD Guidelines |
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| Case keywords |
Human rights,
Environment
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NCP Information
Complainant
Company Information
Timeline of developments
| Date |
Actor |
Action |
Description |
Document |
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23
October
2019
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West Virginians for Sustainable Development (WVSD) |
file |
Complaint filed to Danish NCP. |
download pdf
(12878Kb)
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