For companies with mined materials in their products, IRMA is an invaluable tool to assess practices at the beginning of the supply chain.
Through independent, third-party audits and comprehensive, detailed audit reports, IRMA offers purchasing companies an unprecedented level of insight into the practices of their mining suppliers.
At IRMA, we seek to provide market value and recognition for responsible practices at the mine site. Purchasing companies have a significant role to play in forwarding this vision. They can do so by clearly signaling their intent and interest in purchasing materials from IRMA-assessed mines.
IRMA is especially relevant for purchasing companies, as it provides assessment:
- at the mine site, rather than the corporate level, as this is where most risks associated with mining occur
- of any mine, regardless of material, so purchasing and sustainability teams only need to become familiar with one standard
Tool for Robust Due Diligence
With new regulations coming into force, corporate due diligence for social and environmental issues is high on the agenda for many supply chain actors. These new expectations are expected to reshape supply chains and sourcing for decades to come.
For example, the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) includes minerals extraction and metals manufacturing as one of its three ‘high-impact’ sectors. The CSDDD requires that downstream companies ensure that risks are mitigated throughout their entire minerals supply chains.
IRMA supports companies in their due diligence by providing a robust and credible tool for all stakeholders to assess mine sites around the world and how sites perform on governance and environmental and social performance to understand supply chains at a depth currently unprecedented in the industry.
IRMA’s audit reports are transparent and inclusive, cover all relevant mining impacts, and support due diligence and reporting implementation. The comprehensive IRMA standards link to due diligence requirements and support responsible sourcing.
“The continued scaling of IRMA across the mining industry and raw material supply chains remains critical to unlocking the ability of the Volkswagen Group and other downstream brands to achieve their responsible sourcing goals.
We fully support IRMA’s efforts to engage with mining-affected communities, civil society and trade unions on how the IRMA system can serve as a tool for meaningful engagement to improve mining practices worldwide.”
Volkswagen
Responsible Raw Materials Report 2024
Engagement in IRMA
IRMA understands most purchasing companies do not have direct relationships with mining companies and may, in fact, be several tiers removed from these suppliers. We actively provide support for any purchasing company, at any point in the supply chain, to express an interest in sourcing from mines assessed by IRMA. This can occur even if a company’s supply chain is not yet fully mapped and even before there is enough mined material in the market to meet your needs.
IRMA is committed to multi-stakeholder governance and welcomes purchasing companies as members. Membership allows you to:
- vote for board representatives for your sector
- attend IRMA’s member-only meetings
- connect with, learn from and collaborate with others in your sector
- connect with, learn from and collaborate with stakeholders outside of your sector
- publicly demonstrate your leadership in responsible sourcing and sustainability
- access members-only communication
It is important to note that members from the purchasing sector must:
- encourage mining companies to engage in IRMA through third-party assessment
- communicate an interest in sourcing materials from mines independently audited in the IRMA system, whether in sustainability communications, direct outreach or other relevant venues
