Criterion: ESG Policies

Version 1.0.0 | Status: Active
UN conformity topic code:

Establishment and communication of ESG policy commitments endorsed by top management, aligned with UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines.

Full Description

MSG01 ESG Policies

Standard Section: 6.1 Category: Management Systems Scheme: Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) Standard Version: 2.0 for Piloting (effective April 30, 2025)


Overview

Establishment and communication of ESG policy commitments endorsed by top management, aligned with UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines.


Requirements

The Facility shall:

  • 6.1.1 Establish documented policy(ies), endorsed by top management, that outline the Facility's ESG commitments, appropriate to the nature and scale of the ESG risks and impacts associated with its activities, products, and services.

Note: There are numerous requirements for policies throughout the Standard. Facilities are not expected to establish specific documents but rather can adapt existing policies to reflect these requirements.

  • 6.1.2 Verify ESG policies align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct, including commitments to protect and respect human rights associated with the Facility's direct operations, business relationships, and with public or private security forces operating on or deployed to the Facility.
  • 6.1.3 Ensure ESG policies outline a clear approach for risk assessment and management, as well as the Company's core principles and code(s) of conduct.
  • 6.1.4 Utilize the ESG policy commitments as a framework for setting Facility-level ESG objectives and targets and embed policy commitments into relevant business processes and day-to-day business practices. Periodically review policies and their effectiveness, annually at minimum, to ensure continued suitability and accuracy of information and update as needed.
  • 6.1.5 Make policy(ies) publicly available and readily accessible. Policies shall be communicated internally throughout the organization and externally to stakeholders.
  • 6.1.6 Communicate to the Facility's suppliers and contractors the requirement to adhere to its policy commitments and establish mechanisms to evaluate and verify their conformance.

Source: RMI Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks, Version 2.0 for Piloting (April 2025), Section 6.1

Profiles using this criterion

Responsible Minerals Assurance Process

Conformity Alignment

Meets

Pass: Yes
Definition: "Facility has documented ESG policy(ies) endorsed by top management, publicly available, aligned with UNGP and OECD Guidelines, covering risk assessment approach and code of conduct, embedded in business processes, reviewed at least annually, and communicated to workers and suppliers/contractors."

Partially Meets

Pass: No
Definition: "ESG policy exists and is endorsed by top management, but one or more elements are partially implemented: e.g., policy is not publicly available, not fully communicated to suppliers, review has not been completed, or alignment with UNGP or OECD Guidelines is incomplete."
Remediation: 180 days

Does Not Meet

Pass: No
Definition: "No documented ESG policy, or policy is not endorsed by top management, or policy does not outline ESG commitments appropriate to the nature and scale of the facility's risks and impacts."
Remediation: 90 days

Priority

Pass: No
Definition: "Priority findings are not raised against this criterion. ESG policy gaps are assessed under Does not Meet."
Remediation: 30 days

Not Applicable

Pass: Yes
Definition: "This criterion is not applicable to any facility - all facilities must establish ESG policy commitments regardless of size, type, or location of operations."

Not Able To Assess

Pass: No
Definition: "The assessor was unable to access ESG policy documentation or interview top management to verify policy content, endorsement, or communication."

Change Log

1.0.0 (2026-06-24)

Initial release.