Responsible Mica Initiative

Background

RMI was established to allow for improvements in supply chain management for natural mica, specifically with respect to sources that utilize child labor, and to support alternative education and skill development in communities where child labor is used. Supporting members of RMI include recognized companies in the cosmetics, paint and coatings, and automotive industries. The WCC endorsed continued participation in RMI activities and committed to explore other industry mineral uses and potential supply chain issues. To assure participation of the global paint and coatings industry in this initiative, the WCC (World Coatings Council) has advised the RMI as a member of the RMI Board, since the groups inception in 2017.

RMI currently implements a comprehensive strategy involving tracing the mica supply chain up through the processor level, receiving raw mica directly from informal collection and mining. RMI then works directly with processors to implement workplace and environmental standards to assure quality of life for workers in the mica sector to reduce dependance on child labor. This work is complemented by “community empowerment” programs designed to assure access to education, medical care, social safety programs and alternative employment. RMI’s strategy is designed to improve overall community welfare so children may go to school, without having to work in mica collection from a young age. As a third pillar to the RMI approach, RMI is working with the state government towards legalized mica collection and sales, operated by the State with an electronic mica tracking system.

Since 2017, RMI has been operating in a region in Northeast India that supplies about 60% of the world’s natural mica supply. In 2022 and 2023, RMI initiated operations in Madagascar, the world’s second largest supplier of natural mica sourced from child labor. As of April 2024, RMI has hired a staff liaison based in Madagascar while completing a survey and assessment of Madagascar supply chains. RMI will continue to expand its programs into Madagascar during 2024.

As of April 2024, RMI has set targets to promote transparency in mica purchasing and movement of supply. By 2025, all RMI members must provide data about amounts of mica purchased from RMI members, including mica processing units, into an online database. The information can be accessed by both upstream and downstream actors of the reporting entity that are RMI members, but not direct competitors of the reporting entity. As a Board member, the WCC / ACA has advised against making supply disclosures mandatory due to potential disclosure of trade secrets, reducing flexibility in supply and potential anti-trust violations. RMI conducting antitrust analysis with both U.S. and European firms that have determined that such disclosures are not deemed antitrust violations, provided the data is not used to determine wages of mica workers or cost of mica.

ACA & WCC Action

ACA thorough WCC will continue to advise RMI to provide perspective of the global paint and coatings industry about its activities.

ACA Staff

Riaz Zaman
Senior Counsel, Government Affairs