European Commission recognises Responsible Minerals Initiative for conflict minerals regulation compliance

The Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) receives recognition for compliance with the Conflict Minerals Regulation (CMR).

The CMR is designed to ensure the supply chain practices of EU importers, smelters and refiners, sourcing from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, are transparent and responsible.

It requires EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold to perform supply chain due diligence.

The CMR is built on the concept of risk-based due diligence, as described in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.

The European Commission found the Responsible Minerals Initiative's RMAP standards and implementation to be fully aligned with the requirements of the CMR and OECD guidance.

EU recognition covers the RMAP Tin and Tantalum Standard, the RMAP Tungsten Standard and the RMAP Gold Standard.

The recognition only applies to the RMAP scheme and to smelters/refiners conformant with the RMAP standards, not to other schemes the RMI may cross-recognise.

The European Commission is planning to create a list of global responsible smelters and refiners, based on those covered by recognised supply chain due diligence schemes and information submitted by Member States as part of their annual report on the implementation of the CMR.