Tag: CRMs

• Risks posed by the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative

  Alongside other civil society, Indigenous rights, and labour organisations, ECOS has signed this joint briefing aimed at automakers and other downstream minerals purchasers. It highlights the risks posed by the Consolidated Mining Standard Initiative (CMSI) to communities, workers, ecosystems, investors, and downstream purchasers.

• Position paper – IWA 45 and recommendations for upcoming initiatives on critical minerals

  International Workshop Agreement (IWA) 45, developed by ISO and published in August 2024, aims to guide sustainability standards and frameworks for critical mineral supply chains, mapping existing standards and frameworks. While it is a good first step, a more thorough and rigorous analysis must be undertaken to establish to what extent existing standards and frameworks are effective in helping their users improve actual sustainability performance. Read our recommendations, developed with KNU, the Environmental Associations' Coordination Office for Standardisation Work in Germany.

• Resourceful thinking: Why we need a better approach to critical raw materials

  Lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths – these minerals are the lifeblood of modern industries. However, surging demand is aggravating their long-standing and often overlooked environmental and social costs. International standards can help to manage critical raw materials (CRMs) responsibly, but only if they prioritise environmental protection and the rights of affected communities. Read on to find out more – and to learn how you can help tackle the impacts of CRMs through standardisation.