ITSCI has been removed from the list of approved traceability schemes. The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) who cut them from the list said it had previously based its approval of ITSCI on a 2018 assessment of the scheme from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with a validity period of three years, which was extended but has now expired because it did not receive “ITSCI’s affirmative response to the RMI’s invitations to reapply.”
With more than 400 member companies, the Responsible Minerals Initiative is one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies from a range of industries addressing responsible mineral sourcing issues in their supply chains. They provide companies with tools and resources to make sourcing decisions that improve regulatory compliance and support responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
RMI auditing requirements
Run by the International Tin Association, the ITSCI is a private sector scheme monitoring tin, tantalum, and tungsten mines in Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda for human rights abuses such as child labour and conflict financing.
ITSCI’s removal from list now subject smelters sourcing minerals through to do additional due diligence to meet RMI auditing requirements. The change will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, giving a 6-month grace period for smelters.
From then on the smelters will have to show RMI auditors direct evidence of traceability, mine site assessments, supply chain risk assessments, and KYC (know your customer) procedures, or be labelled non-conformant. According to Mike Loch, president of Chicago-based mineral due diligence firm Responsible Trade, this directive subjects mineral exporters to a more keen examinations of their supply chains which can lead to companies implementing their own chain of custody.
