In response to increasingly complex global mineral regulations, the RMI1) standards have undergone a significant transformation—from individual mineral assessment frameworks to an integrated due diligence system. From the list of key standards currently in operation to the background behind the standard integration, this article outlines the critical updates that practitioners must be aware of.
1) RMI: Responsible Minerals Initiative
What Are the RMI Standards?
The standards developed by the RMI are global supply chain due diligence frameworks designed to verify whether companies are effectively managing risks such as human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and corruption in the mining and trade of minerals.
The key features include:
Operationalizing the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas by translating it into auditable assessment criteria
Requiring smelters and refiners—critical bottlenecks in mineral supply chains—to disclose the origin of raw materials and undergo third-party verification
Serving as a globally recognized assurance mechanism adopted by leading multinational companies
Overview of RMI Standards
Currently, RMI provides independent assurance standards for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG), which are subject to regulatory requirements under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation.
For other minerals beyond 3TG, the RMI operates a cross-mineral framework known as the Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard, which can be applied across all mineral supply chains. In addition, RMI has introduced expanded frameworks to address broader ESG-related risks, including a Facility Standard covering social, environmental, occupational health and safety, and governance risks and a Supply Chain Due Diligence Plus, designed to support companies in responding to evolving global supply chain regulations
| Title
| Effective date
|
|---|
| 1 | Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Tin and Tantalum Standard | 1 June 2018 |
| 2 | Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Tungsten Standard | 1 June 2018 |
| 3 | Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Gold Standard | 1 June 2018 |
| 4 | Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard for Mineral Supply Chains All Minerals | 1 January 2022 |
| 5 | Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks | 30 April 2025 |
| 6 | Supply Chain Due Diligence Plus | 30 April 2025
|
Suspension of Certain Standards and Background of Integration
Effective January 1, 2026, the RMI started to discontinue assessments against the following four standards:
Cobalt Refiner Supply Chain Due Diligence Standard
Joint Due Diligence Standard for Copper, Lead, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Zinc
Global Workplace Responsible Sourcing Environmental, Health, and Safety Due Diligence Standard for Mica Processors
ITA-RMI Assessment Criteria for Tin Smelters
This decision reflects RMI’s long-term strategic objective to streamline and consolidate its previously fragmented, mineral-specific assessment frameworks.
The individual standards have been integrated into the Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard (All Minerals) in order to enhance overall consistency, clarity, and coherence across the mineral supply chain assurance landscape.
In response to increasingly complex global mineral regulations, the RMI1) standards have undergone a significant transformation—from individual mineral assessment frameworks to an integrated due diligence system. From the list of key standards currently in operation to the background behind the standard integration, this article outlines the critical updates that practitioners must be aware of.
1) RMI: Responsible Minerals Initiative
What Are the RMI Standards?
The standards developed by the RMI are global supply chain due diligence frameworks designed to verify whether companies are effectively managing risks such as human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and corruption in the mining and trade of minerals.
The key features include:
Operationalizing the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas by translating it into auditable assessment criteria
Requiring smelters and refiners—critical bottlenecks in mineral supply chains—to disclose the origin of raw materials and undergo third-party verification
Serving as a globally recognized assurance mechanism adopted by leading multinational companies
Overview of RMI Standards
Currently, RMI provides independent assurance standards for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG), which are subject to regulatory requirements under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation.
For other minerals beyond 3TG, the RMI operates a cross-mineral framework known as the Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard, which can be applied across all mineral supply chains. In addition, RMI has introduced expanded frameworks to address broader ESG-related risks, including a Facility Standard covering social, environmental, occupational health and safety, and governance risks and a Supply Chain Due Diligence Plus, designed to support companies in responding to evolving global supply chain regulations
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Tin and Tantalum Standard
1 June 2018
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Tungsten Standard
1 June 2018
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, Gold Standard
1 June 2018
Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard for Mineral Supply Chains All Minerals
1 January 2022
Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks
30 April 2025
Supply Chain Due Diligence Plus
30 April 2025
Suspension of Certain Standards and Background of Integration
Effective January 1, 2026, the RMI started to discontinue assessments against the following four standards:
Cobalt Refiner Supply Chain Due Diligence Standard
Joint Due Diligence Standard for Copper, Lead, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Zinc
Global Workplace Responsible Sourcing Environmental, Health, and Safety Due Diligence Standard for Mica Processors
ITA-RMI Assessment Criteria for Tin Smelters
This decision reflects RMI’s long-term strategic objective to streamline and consolidate its previously fragmented, mineral-specific assessment frameworks.
The individual standards have been integrated into the Global Responsible Sourcing Due Diligence Standard (All Minerals) in order to enhance overall consistency, clarity, and coherence across the mineral supply chain assurance landscape.