The Pilot Reporting Template (PRT) is a free, standardized reporting template that facilitates the exchange of smelter, refiner, and processor data for unregulated minerals between companies and suppliers. It supports the due diligence process following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance.
The PRT results from a recent initiative from the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). This organization is the leading resource for companies addressing conflict minerals in their supply chains. RMI members developed the template to create efficiencies and simplify the supply chain surveying process.
Download the latest version of the Pilot Reporting Template (PRT)
Updated versions of the PRT are released regularly by the RMI. The latest version, version 1.1, was released on October 27, 2023. Changes to the new version of the template include:- Minerals/metals are declared in a more user-friendly format
- Suppliers have the ability to disclose the reason why certain minerals/metals are included
- An additional tab for recording mine information
- Translation and correction improvements
Companies should use this updated form to communicate sourcing information along the supply chain. The next version of the PRT is expected to be released in fall 2024.
What is the purpose of the PRT?
The purpose of the PRT is to assist downstream companies in gathering and disclosing information about minerals of concern within their supply chains in a standardized way. Although there are existing templates and processes for gathering 3TG data via the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) and cobalt and mica data via the Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT), there is no standardization for other minerals of concern.
Many companies only monitor and report on their use of 3TG, cobalt, and mica and lack a process for identifying and monitoring other minerals of concern. While some companies have established methods of identifying and monitoring such minerals, each company manages this process differently with its own unique data collection templates. This lack of standardization is a pain point for suppliers and significantly contributes to supplier fatigue.
The PRT will serve as one tool companies can use to request supplier data on any minerals of concern. Companies can then decide whether to implement any new mineral reporting outside of the CMRT and EMRT.
Which minerals are included in the PRT?
The PRT is not specific to any mineral—rather, it is intended to assist companies in requesting supplier data for any mineral of concern. During the development of the PRT, RMI surveyed its members to determine which minerals were of the most concern and identified four priority minerals: copper, nickel, aluminum, and lithium. These minerals are listed as recommendations on the PRT, but companies can choose up to 10 minerals to request data on.
How does the PRT differ from the CMRT and the EMRT?
The PRT assists in the exchange of information regarding unregulated minerals of concern. The user determines the scope of the PRT and allows input of up to 10 minerals. Alternatively, the scope of the CMRT is limited to 3TG, and the scope of the EMRT is limited to cobalt and mica. Members of RMI developed all three reporting templates.
What should companies do with a completed PRT?
The RMI recommends that companies provide completed PRTs to their customers and/or make them publicly available on their company websites, like what companies already do with CMRTs and EMRTs.
Does the RMI collect PRTs from companies?
While the RMI does not collect completed PRTs from companies, the organization does collect completed PRTs from members. These PRTs are collected to build known smelter lists and establish certification processes for minerals identified as the most significant pinch points within the supply chain. This process will allow RMI to identify the minerals the world’s leading companies are concerned about, share that information, and build best practices for monitoring and reporting.
How will the PRT shape future regulations for minerals of concern?
As RMI collects completed PRTs from members, the data will be collected, correlated, and reviewed in standardized forms. This process will allow RMI to produce known lists of smelters not involved in abuses, similar to how it has produced lists for 3TG, cobalt, and mica. The lists will be built over the next few years.
The PRT will also help identify which minerals have the most significant pinch points in the supply chain and which are sourced the most frequently to indicate which minerals would benefit from additional regulation.
Long term, the PRT will provide companies with much better information about which minerals are most important to the industry and likely to cause concern to regulators, customers, and others within the supply chain. They will also be able to better determine which smelters, processors, and refiners are the safest to work with.
Source Intelligence's Conflict Minerals Program and the PRT
As an active member of the RMI, Source Intelligence is working alongside the organization to develop and monitor the pilot program's progress. This close relationship with RMI allows our regulatory experts to educate suppliers on the need for the PRT and provide them with resources to establish a PRT program.
Get ahead of ever-changing mineral regulations and provide peace of mind to customers and company stakeholders by reporting on minerals of concern with the PRT. We’re here to help you expand your responsible sourcing initiatives whenever you’re ready—our conflict minerals program collects PRTs from your suppliers and rolls up the data for simplified due diligence review. Select the button below to learn more.
