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The Examination of Industry Standards in the Raw Materials Sector study evaluates how effectively industry standards contribute to fulfilling environmental and human rights due diligence obligations, particularly in mining and raw materials supply chains. Conducted under the framework of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the study critically analyzes certification systems like IRMA, RMI, and Copper Mark, highlighting significant shortcomings in worker participation, audit transparency, grievance mechanisms, and enforcement. The findings emphasize that while standards can support responsible practices, they are not a substitute for direct corporate accountability, and robust minimum criteria must guide their use in regulatory frameworks like the EU Battery Regulation and supply chain laws.
