RMI audit quality assurance and integrity framework
The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) has established a comprehensive Audit Quality Assurance and Integrity Framework to ensure audits are conducted consistently, transparently, and credibly.
Aligned with the ISEAL Credibility Principles and international best practices for audit integrity, all RMI audits are guided by five core principles that ensure credibility, consistency, and trust in our assurance system.
RMI auditors operate with full objectivity and without conflicts of interest. Clear separation between auditors, auditees, and commercial interests—supported by strict integrity and conflict-of-interest controls—ensures neutrality in every audit.
Only qualified and trained professionals are authorized to conduct RMI audits. Auditors are required to maintain technical expertise, contextual understanding, and up-to-date knowledge through formal training, regular evaluations, and continuous learning.
All audit findings are fully documented, evidence-based, and traceable. RMI communicates results clearly to its members through its internal block-chain based traceability platform.
Auditors and auditing agencies must follow the RMI Code of Ethics, upholding the highest standards of honesty, confidentiality, and respectful engagement. Any form of coercion, misrepresentation, or falsification is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.
RMI audits aim not only to verify compliance but also to support ongoing improvement. Lessons from each audit cycle feed into updated training, refined tools, and strengthened methodologies, ensuring the system evolves with global best practices, regulatory developments, and stakeholder expectations.
Audits are a core component of the Responsible Mica Initiative’s (RMI) mission to create a sustainable and child-labor-free mica supply chain. By evaluating mica upstream actors, mines or processors, against their respective dedicated standards, audits help identify gaps in working conditions, environmental management, health and safety, and fair labor practices.
Audits are part of a progressive, impact-driven approach that aligns with RMI’s overall mission. They are not used as a certification process but as a tool for continuous improvement.
1.
Initial Assessment: Evaluating compliance with standards.
2.
Corrective Action Plans (CAP): Co-developing time-bound actions to address non-compliances.
3.
Training and Handholding Support: Ensuring mining groups, mine owners or processors have the knowledge and resources to improve.
4.
Third-Party Audits: Independent verification of improvements, and definition of new CAP, sending the cycle back to step 2
RMI takes a phased approach to audits, starting with full-scope audit, followed by targeted re-audits focusing on non or partial compliances, to monitor progress. Each cycle builds on previous results, emphasizing incremental improvement and sustainable compliance. This approach allows supply chain actors to adopt changes at a manageable pace while continuously enhancing social, environmental, and labor standards.
RMI member-processors are expected to:
Compliance grading ensures processors meet RMI standards: after one audit cycle, processors are expected to reach “Performing” status, and after two cycles, “Advanced” status. Non-compliance may lead to membership review or termination.
All membership audits are funded and organized by RMI following an audit cycle defined by membership requirements, ensuring processors can focus on actual workplace improvements without bearing the financial burden of costly audits.
Audits provide independent verification, are a key tool to help improve workplace conditions, strengthen due diligence, and create a trusted, transparent supply chain. They are one of the cornerstones of RMI’s strategy to protect workers, ensure compliance with global labor standards, and foster responsible mica sourcing.
Audit Quality Assurance and Integrity Framework