HERTFORDSHIRE (UK) AND ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The International Tin Association (ITA) and the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), on behalf of its Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation across the entire tin value chain and further strengthen progress on responsible production and sourcing of tin.

Both industry groups pioneered approaches to tackling minerals sourcing challenges from higher risk areas and intend that these experiences are used in setting a common direction for future activities promoting supply chain improvements appropriate to both the upstream and downstream industries.

The MoU sets out a series of objectives and collaboration mechanisms for the future working relationship between ITA and the RMI, including the establishment of a joint taskforce, aiming to enable tin stakeholders at all levels to demonstrate compliance with regulations and wider expectations for responsible supply chains. With ITA and RMI memberships including very significant representation from both upstream and downstream tin industries this is a unique opportunity to achieve an equal and effective value chain approach.

"We are excited to announce this important new step forward for the tin industry” said Kay Nimmo, sustainability manager at ITA. “This further demonstrates the leadership capabilities of both ITA and the RMI and their determination to take on the very significant technical and political challenges involved in bringing the whole supply chain together to provide realistic but robust compliance solutions for responsible sourcing of tin.”

"This collaboration marks a new chapter in advancing ITA’s and RMI’s common objectives for the responsible sourcing and production of tin," said Leah Butler, vice president, Responsible Business Alliance. "Our organizations bring together a unique set of capabilities, perspectives and influence that will enable us to address the evolving needs of industry and stakeholders and build on the systems of today to achieve greater positive impacts."

Central to the new agreement is work already underway to review tin smelter audit criteria and procedures designed to demonstrate company implementation of OECD due diligence. Maximizing the alignment of these criteria with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance is intended to lead to recognition by the European Commission under the new EU Minerals Supply Chain Due Diligence Regulation and ultimately harmonisation with other upcoming requirements such as from the LME.

A new draft joint ITA-RMI Assessment Criteria is expected to be available by the second half of 2019, and auditing options will exist for smelters to demonstrate conformance with the RMI’s Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) and the responsible sourcing standard of the ITA Code of Conduct for tin producers.