HSINCHU, TAIWAN – ITRI and member companies developed an industry Code of Conduct designed for global tin mining and smelting operations, addressing the growing expectations of tin users and consumers. Members will begin to voluntary report against these industry standards in the third quarter of 2017.

The ITRI Code of Conduct has 10 principles addressing basic expectations of legal compliance and publication of policy statements, through consideration of areas of widespread interest, such as improvements in environmental performance, health and safety, and protection of human rights, to growing issues around positively impacting upstream suppliers of minerals and responsible metal production.

These principles are supported with more than 70 standards, some of which are more relevant for mining operations, with others most relevant to smelters or secondary recycling companies.

A range of Indicators are designed to allow for reporting of progressive improvement, with third-party verification the ultimate goal. This approach has been adopted to provide an opportunity to engage and encourage positive change among all operators, including the many small-scale and artisanal miners whose livelihoods depend on the mineral sector and who make an important contribution to tin supply.

The code was unanimously adopted at the most recent ITRI board meeting. Members are expected to produce initial reports in mid-2017.

The ITRI code is also designed to be appropriate to mineral and metal traders, who are welcome to participate.