Cobalt

Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries, a vital part of electric vehicles and electronic devices. As the automotive industry moves toward electrification, the demand for – and concerns surrounding – cobalt material continue to grow exponentially. The various social and environmental impacts of cobalt extraction have made it more critical than ever to ensure this material is sourced responsibly, including child labor and unsafe working conditions in artisanal cobalt mining.

As a result, the automotive industry considers cobalt to be a high-risk mineral, and companies – especially OEMs – are taking the initiative in conducting traceability and sourcing due diligence throughout their supply chains. In partnership with the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), AIAG recognizes cross industry guidance that aims to help companies engage in this type of due diligence with their supply chains to better understand and report the sourcing of this material in relation to their products.

• Assess to understand the use of cobalt in products. Utilize the IMDS reporting platform to initially identify the presence of cobalt in the materials used on products.
• Engage in due diligence with the supply chains and report the use and sourcing cobalt material.

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Mica

Responsible minerals sourcing plays a strategic role in automotive companies’ efforts to increase their focus on corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives – especially those minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs).

In the automotive industry specifically, mica has come into focus as a mineral of concern due to the use of child labor, lack of traceability, and health and safety concerns in mica mines globally. As such, automotive companies that use mica in the products they manufacture or outsource to be manufactured can use tools provided by AIAG, in partnership with the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), to promote due diligence with their downstream suppliers and ensure they are operating in a socially responsible manner.

• Utilize material data information in order to understand the use of Mica in products your company manufactures.
• Perform annual due diligence with downstream suppliers and report smelters and refiners in which Mica is mined.

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Industry Endorsed Reporting Templates

The AIAG Responsible Materials Work Group actively works to provide common tools and resources to increase industry reporting, along with its efficiency and effectiveness. Two key contributions AIAG has made to support supply chain due diligence include standardized reporting templates to facilitate the transfer of information throughout the supply chain, and web based data management options.

Since 2011, AIAG has contributed to the development of the minerals reporting templates, and in 2012, launched the first web-based data management to identify products containing conflict minerals. We continue to work with Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) to enhance and develop templates focused on reporting conflict minerals, cobalt, mica, and extended minerals within the supply chain.

CMRT (Conflict Minerals Reporting Template)

A free, standardized reporting template that facilitates the transfer of information through the supply chain regarding mineral country of origin and smelters and refiners being utilized. The next version of the CMRT is anticipated to be released in the Spring of 2023.

EMRT (Extended Minerals Reporting Template)

A free, standardized reporting template developed to identify pinch points and collect due diligence information in the cobalt and mica supply chains. The next version of the EMRT is anticipated to be released in the Spring of 2023.

PRT (Pilot Reporting Template)

A draft, standardized reporting template developed to offer companies a preferable alternative to creating their own templates for collecting pinch points and due diligence information in other materials supply chains. The next version of the PRT is anticipated to be released in the Fall of 2023.

Be sure to check the RMI Website often for template updates.