The International Tin Association (ITA) and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) have developed a new core audit requirement document, now known as the “Assessment Criteria for Tin Smelting Companies”. The Criteria are designed to align with the 3T Supplement of the internationally recognised OECD due diligence guidance, assist with the new London Metal Exchange (LME) responsible sourcing requirements, and satisfy other upcoming requirements such as the EU Minerals Due Diligence Regulation. The document brings together multiple views of complex due diligence expectations into one new harmonised text. Tin smelters can be assessed against the Criteria by assessment processes of ITA (ISAE 3000) or the RMI (ISO 19001). This work aims to improve due diligence across the tin supply chain and encourages transparency to help to streamline information requests through the supply chain.
The Criteria incorporates consultation feedback from a broad spectrum of stakeholders across the tin supply and has been improved by:
- Focusing exclusively on the tin value chain
- Structuring to reference each Step of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance Supplement on Tin
- Highlighting additional, separate regulatory or downstream expectations
- Outlining practical expectations for red-flag review of suppliers
- Explaining how smelters may use OECD-aligned joint industry initiatives for due diligence support
- Clarifying terminology and separating procedural or guidance text for auditors
In March 2021, version 2 of the Criteria was published with minor clarifications to reflect the “Fully Aligned” score for ‘policies and standards’ aspect of the independent OECD Alignment Assessment. This version replaces Version 1 of the Criteria originally published in October 2019.
The Criteria are available for download in English and Chinese (COMING SOON).
ITA and RMI have also developed internal guidance to the Criteria which is aimed at ensuring common understanding of auditors and auditees as well as assessment process managers and each organisation will develop tools which reflect that guidance.
ITA welcomes feedback on the Criteria or any associated topics. Please contact [email protected]