RRA Standard: ESG Core Tool for Global Mineral Supply Chain
RRA is a standard framework for responsible mineral production launched by RMI in 2017, covering the entire chain of mining, smelting, manufacturing and recycling. It has been applied to more than 600 companies and provides supply chain transparency support for downstream companies. This revision focuses on three major directions:
Strengthening human rights and environmental due diligence: Combining the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD six-step due diligence framework, companies are required to identify, assess and mitigate risks in operations and supply chains2.
Responding to emerging regulations: The new version of RRA integrates the latest regulatory requirements such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to help companies respond to compliance challenges in advance2.
Expanding the scope of assessment: Extending from the original facility-level assessment to supply chain risks, adding the 33rd ESG standard, covering the entire process of mineral production, procurement, processing and recycling2.
As the core application platform of RRA, the copper label and its certification framework (covering metals such as copper, nickel, and zinc) require participating companies to pass independent third-party audits. From January 2024, all new companies applying for Copper Label certification must comply with the RRA 3.0 standard, and existing companies must complete the upgrade by 20252.
Multi-party participation: from public consultation to standard implementation
The revision took two years and absorbed the opinions of 35 international organizations, industry associations and corporate representatives, and collected feedback through online and offline seminars (such as the virtual meeting in 2022)12. Jennifer Peyser, Vice President of RMI, emphasized: "RRA is a key tool for supply chain risk monitoring. This revision will help upstream and downstream companies cope with rapidly changing ESG requirements." Michèle Brülhart, Executive Director of Copper Label, pointed out: "The new version of RRA embodies the principle of 'continuous improvement' and sets a new benchmark for responsible production."