The Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) is a free, standardized template developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) that facilitates the exchange of cobalt and mica supply chain data. The EMRT is the result of a consolidation of the Cobalt Reporting Template (CRT) and Mica Reporting Template (MRT). It was designed in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance. Continue reading to learn more about the EMRT and access the latest template version.
Updated versions of the EMRT are released periodically by the RMI. The latest version, version 1.3, was released in April of 2024. Updates to the latest version include:
The term extended minerals refers to cobalt and mica, hence the name Extended Minerals Reporting Template. Cobalt and mica are used in manufacturing several everyday products. Cobalt is an essential element in electronics and is primarily used in lithium-ion batteries. It is also a significant component in superalloy metals, magnetic materials, anticorrosive materials, and cemented carbide. Mica is a group of minerals used in paints, automobile parts, shingles, electronics, and cosmetic items.
With a growing demand for cobalt and mica comes major concerns regarding where and how they are sourced. Cobalt and mica mining is problematic due to the natural abundance of these minerals in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAS). CAHRAS are vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups and are at high risk of community degradation. People in these areas often fall victim to forced labor and child labor under hazardous working conditions. In extreme cases, entire communities are forced into modern slavery with no way out of poverty, except into the mines. The growing demand for technology in several industries continues to drive demand for cobalt and mica. This pressure encourages profiteering and perpetuates ethical problems in the supply chain.
A lack of responsible sourcing regulations targeting cobalt and mica makes ethical sourcing difficult. The EMRT was created to help address this challenge and empower companies to conduct due diligence on behalf of their customers and stakeholders.
The EMRT aims to provide downstream companies with a template for gathering and disclosing cobalt and mica sourcing information from their supply chains to mitigate risk. Per the RMI, downstream companies are considered companies from the end user up to (but not including) the refiner or processor. The EMRT guides downstream companies throughout the due diligence process, which includes:
To collect this information, the EMRT provides a questionnaire for downstream companies to send to their supply chain partners. Questions include the following:
Additionally, the EMRT includes a list of identified cobalt refiners and mica processors (and aliases) that organizations can compare against their own.
The main difference between the EMRT and the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) is the minerals that fall within the scope of each template. While the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU) have compliance requirements for sourcing conflict minerals, otherwise known as 3TG (tungsten, tantalum, tin, and gold), mica and cobalt are considered extended minerals and are not subject to compliance requirements.
Conflict minerals are subject to compliance under the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act (which applies to 3TG originating from the DRC and adjoining countries) and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (which applies to EU-based importers of 3TG from CAHRAs). The CMRT is used to collect refiner and processor information to fulfill regulatory 3TG reporting requirements.
Alternatively, the EMRT is a voluntary initiative that allows downstream companies to disclose their cobalt and mica sourcing due diligence efforts in their annual reports and/or on their website. Rather than a requirement, it currently serves as an aid to due diligence and identifying utilized smelters and refiners of cobalt and mica.
It is critical to conduct due diligence on extended minerals. While there are no governmental regulations currently in place for cobalt and mica, there are many developments in the works to hold businesses accountable for social responsibility via environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators. Traceability is the only avenue to supply chain transparency.
Source Intelligence’s conflict minerals program goes beyond conflict minerals, also covering extended minerals and additional minerals of concern. We go beyond official compliance programs by offering solutions for responsible sourcing to provide the data you need for supply chain transparency and risk management. We help facilitate collaboration with your suppliers, including engagement, data validation, and reporting.
Mitigate the risk of human rights issues lurking in your supply chain. Explore our conflict minerals program to discover how Source Intelligence can help.