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Our history, from shared determination to concrete impact

The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) was born out of a collective will to foster responsible mica supply chains and eliminate child labor through collaboration, transparency, and local empowerment. 

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2016, the turning point

In 2016, representatives from the cosmetics, pigments, and coatings industries, along with civil society organizations such as Terre des Hommes Netherlands, convened the first Mica Summit in Delhi, India. 

Later that year, Terre des Hommes Netherlands published the landmark report “Beauty and a Beast: Child Labour in India for Sparkling Cars and Cosmetics,” which brought global attention to child labor and unsafe working conditions in mica mining.

The report urged companies not to withdraw from mica regions, but rather to stay and drive change responsibly –  perfectly aligned with the foundations of the nascent Responsible Mica Initiative.

Key milestones – a collective journey
toward sustainable change 

2017–2018: Founding and first steps
  • RMI officially launched in January 2017 with 20 founding members, later growing to 47 by the end of 2018. 
  • Created Action Groups and established the Board of Directors to guide strategy and governance. 
  • Developed the first Responsible Workplace Standards for mica mines and processors. 

    Began Community Empowerment Programs (CEP) in 40 villages across Bihar and Jharkhand. 

  • Recognized by the UN Forum on Business & Human Rights as the most innovative approach to put the UN Guiding Principles in practice. 

  • Following the work of the RMI, mica was added to the US Department of Labor’s list of goods produced by child labor. 
2019–2020: Scaling up and strengthening standards
  • Expanded Community Empowerment Programs to 80 villages, benefiting nearly 6,000 households.
  • Introduced Compliance and Corrective Action Tools to help processors align with workplace standards. 

  • Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Responsible Minerals Initiative to develop a joint Global Mica Workplace and Due Diligence Standard for Mica Processors, building on the Responsible Mica Initiative’s existing one. 

  • Adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting workers, maintaining education for children, and setting up community kitchens. 

  • Submitted a Sustainable Mica Policy Framework to the Government of Jharkhand. 

    Expanded to 66 members   
2021: Consolidating knowledge and driving innovation
  • Completed third-party impact assessments of CEP programs.
  • Launched a blockchain-based traceability platform to enhance traceability and transparency.
  •  
Conducted a living wage study for mica workers in India with the Fair Wage Network. 

  • Joined the Global Battery Alliance to integrate mica into responsible sourcing conversations within the automotive sector.
  • Co-organized under EU Parliament a dedicated session on Child Labor with a specific mica focus, leading to the release of a mica-related Urgent Motion by EU Commission.
  • Grew to 74 members 
2022–2023: Global reach and digital transformation
  • Deployed the traceability platform to support members’ deep dive in their supply chains and regulatory compliance
  • Strengthened government engagement in Jharkhand, India, contributing to progress toward a fair legal framework. 

  • Opened office in Madagascar, and launched implementation of responsible workplace standards, building on experience in India. 

  • Supported processors through audits and training in India. 

  • Expanded impact to 180 villages in India through community programs focused on education, health, and livelihoods. 

  • Grew to 97 members 
2024 and beyond: Deepening impact and expanding globally
  • Launched the Mica CRAFT Code, a new global standard for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). 

  • Continued to strengthen livelihoods, health, education, and social security in India through holistic three-year community program cycles. Initiated Community Empowerment Programs in Madagascar 

  • Advanced responsible sourcing and formalization efforts in Madagascar, with special focus on living wages, workplace standards, and governance.
  • 
Strengthened the Global Workplace and Due Diligence Standard for Processors to align with evolving ESG and due diligence frameworks worldwide. 

  • Received grants from the European Union for its programs in India, and from the UNDP in Madagascar. 

  • Deepened member engagement across the supply chain to ensure accountability, collaboration, and measurable impact, reaching 110 members end of 2025. 

A collective commitment 
for the future 

From its inception, the Responsible Mica Initiative has demonstrated that lasting change requires shared commitments and efforts– across industries, governments, and communities. 
What began as a collective call to action in 2016 has evolved into a global movement advancing human rights, traceability, and sustainability in mica supply chains. 

Our strategy 2030