The RMI and Drive Sustainability (Drive) collaborated on a study examining responsible sourcing of materials in the automotive and electronics industries. The report, Material Change, was commissioned by Drive and the RMI and completed by The Dragonfly Initiative (TDI) in 2018.
The study assesses the importance of 37 materials to automotive and electronic industries and evaluates environmental, social and governance risks for those materials at industry levels. It is available here:
The RMI encourages readers of Material Change to learn more about the specific circumstances of each material included in this report. Please see below summaries provided by industry associations and/or responsible sourcing initiatives related to one or more of the materials examined that may be able to provide more specific information on the methods and practices used in the production of these materials. The reference list is non-exhaustive and will be periodically updated.
Industry Associations
ALUMINUM
The International Aluminium Institute is the global association of aluminium producers, representing over 60 percent of primary aluminium production. Explore the production, use and recycling of this versatile metal on www.thealuminiumstory.com.
COBALT
The Cobalt Institute promotes the sustainable and responsible use of cobalt in all forms.
COPPER
The International Copper Association and its 39 members represent a majority of global copper production and are committed to making a positive contribution to society’s sustainable development goals.
RECYCLING
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is the global federation of recycling industries, representing the interests of private companies and national recycling associations in 70 countries. Founded in 1948, it was the first federation to promote recycling worldwide.
TANTALUM
The Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) is the international trade association for tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb).
TIN
The International Tin Association, representing a significant majority of globally refined tin production, is the primary source and authority on all tin-related information, including production methods, sourcing countries, trade data and associated statistics.
ZINC
The International Zinc Association (IZA) represents the zinc industry globally and is a focal point for any questions related to the natural element zinc, zinc applications and sources for zinc production: ores as well as recycling materials.
Responsible Sourcing Initiatives
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organization, which works toward responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium following an entire value chain approach.
ICMM is an international organization dedicated to enabling a safe, fair and sustainable mining and metals industry. Bringing together 25 mining and metals companies and over 30 regional and commodities associations they strengthen environmental and social performance.
The ITA Code of Conduct is the ITA-developed reporting framework for tin production providing verified information to the market on members’ performance against 10 principles and 70 standards that relate to international expectations.
The ITSCI programme is a multi-stakeholder traceability and due diligence initiative, developed for the DRC with potential global application, with standards aligned to the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains.
The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is a mining standard and certification program launched in 2018, offering comprehensive measure of performance and incentives for best practices in social and environmental responsibility at mine sites globally.
LBMA’s Responsible Sourcing initiative helps ensure the provenance of a range of precious metals and protects the integrity of global supply chains, with Version 8 of its Responsible Gold Guidance currently being expanded to include ESG in addition to OECD Annex II Risks.
The Responsible Mica Initiative is an international organization in which multiple industries and organizations (NGOs, associations) jointly commit to use responsible sourcing practices and local engagement to eradicate child labor and improve the livelihood of communities within a compliant and legal mica supply chain in India.
A not-for-profit organisation, ResponsibleSteel™ is the first global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative for the steel sector, covering the sourcing of raw materials for steel production, as well as steelmaking itself.
Developed by the World Gold Council and based upon internationally recognised benchmarks, the Conflict-Free Gold Standard helps companies to provide assurance that their gold is not contributing to conflict.
For more information, please contact Fabiana Di Lorenzo.
