RMI Interoperability Framework

The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) Interoperability Framework provides a structured approach for standards and assurance schemes to operate within a more coherent and connected assurance ecosystem, reducing fragmentation and enabling more credible, scalable, and effective use of due diligence information across mineral supply chains. 

As supply chains become more complex and expectations for due diligence increase, companies must navigate multiple standards, reporting frameworks, and assurance systems. The Interoperability Framework responds to this challenge by helping to improve how these systems connect, interact, and reinforce one another. 

Interoperability

Interoperability, as defined by the RMI, refers to the ability of different standards and assurance schemes to work together so due diligence information can be better understood, compared, and applied more consistently by companies and other stakeholders. 

It is not a single mechanism, tool, or outcome. Rather, interoperability is a structured approach to interaction between schemes, designed to facilitate the exchange and use of more meaningful, accurate, and credible due diligence information across minerals supply chains.

At its core, interoperability addresses a fundamental challenge: the assurance landscape is made up of multiple systems that differ in scope, design, and purpose. The Framework does not seek to eliminate these differences. Instead, it establishes how those systems can work together in a coherent and transparent way, so that due diligence information remains usable and more effective across contexts.

Interoperability addresses fragmentation in the assurance landscape by: 

• Improving the usability and comparability of due diligence information 

• Enabling more efficient exchange of assessment data across schemes 

• Supporting proportionate, risk-based due diligence 

• Reducing unnecessary duplication in supplier assessment and engagement 

 

 

Explore InteroperabilityView the Full FrameworkView the RMI's Interoperability Relationships What this means for RMI Members

 

Interoperability Framework Overview

The RMI Interoperability Framework structures how standards and assurance schemes work together to facilitate the exchange, interpretation, and use of more meaningful, accurate, and credible due diligence information. It is implemented through three interrelated modes, which may operate independently or in combination depending on context and objective.

How Interoperability is Applied in Practice

Interoperability is implemented through different forms of interaction between standards and assurance schemes, applied based on the intended purpose; whether to exchange data, compare systems, or support reliance on assessment outcomes.

These interactions vary depending on:

• The objective (e.g., data access, comparison)
• The relationship between schemes
• The type of information being shared (e.g., facility data, assessment outcomes, upstream data)

For this reason, interoperability is implemented through different forms of interaction, which may operate independently or in combination as needed.

Data Sharing	Equivalency	Compatibility
Facilitates the structured exchange of facility information and assessment credential data between schemes. Facilitates access to facility profile data and conformity credentials Improves transparency and availability of assessment information Supports more efficient and effective use of existing due diligence data Read more	Provides the analytical and formal basis for determining when standards, assurance programs, or conformity credentials can be considered, in whole or in part, equal or interchangeable in value, meaning, function, or effect. Enables more informed and consistent use of third-party assessment outcomes Supports reduced duplication where equivalency is established Provides the basis for structured reliance across schemes Read more	Compatibility refers to ongoing collaboration between schemes to strengthen mutual intelligibility and help ensure systems can work together effectively in practice. Reduces unnecessary / unintentional inconsistencies in standards, processes, and terminology Improves clarity and interpretability of assessment outcomes Supports effective implementation of data-sharing and equivalency Read more

While these modes provide the primary structure of the Framework, interoperability may also be supported through broader forms of collaboration and alignment between schemes. Collaboration activities contribute to improved system coherence but do not in themselves constitute formal interoperability arrangements.

What This Means for You

Interoperability supports different actors across the supply chain in distinct ways, depending on their role in producing, assessing, or using due diligence information.

RMI Members	Standards and Assurance Schemes	Facilities
What this means More consistent and comparable use of third‑party assurance data across systems Reduced duplication in supplier engagement and assessment activity Greater clarity on how different scheme credentials can be interpreted and applied	What this means A structured framework for how schemes can interact without requiring harmonization or compromising independence Clearer positioning of their standards and assurance outputs within a broader ecosystem	What this means Reduced duplication in assessments covering the same or similar requirements Clearer and more consistent expectations across customers and schemes Improved use of existing assessment and certification data
Key outcomes More efficient and scalable due diligence processes Clearer and more defensible decision-making Reduced burden on both companies and suppliers   Read more	Key outcomes Reduced duplication and assessment fatigue where equivalency is established Improved usability and uptake of scheme data by downstream users Stronger system-to-system credibility in a fragmented and evolving landscape Read more	Key outcomes Reduced assessment fatigue and disruption Lower administrative burden Greater predictability in how requirements and outcomes are applied Read more

Data-Sharing

Data‑sharing enables the structured exchange of facility information and assessment credential data between standards and assurance schemes. It supports the consistent availability and use of due diligence information across different systems, allowing supply chain actors to access and interpret assessment data more efficiently.

Data‑sharing focuses on two primary categories of information:

Facility Profile Data. Unique identifying information relating to a specific facility that:

• has been identified as an eligible entity for assessment (RMI only)
• is undergoing assessment, or
• has been assessed under an RMI standard or a third‑party scheme

Conformity Credentials. Structured information describing:

• the existence and status of an assessment
• the scope of the assessment
• the results or outcome of that assessment

This includes assessment credentials issued by the RMI and third‑party schemes.

What Data-Sharing Enables

Data‑sharing supports more effective due diligence by:

• Improving transparency and accessibility: making facility and assessment information for multiple schemes available in one place and in a consistent format
• Enhancing comparability of information: supporting clearer interpretation of assessment data across different systems
• Reducing duplicative data collection: limiting the need for repeated requests for the same facility or assessment information
• Supporting more efficient supplier engagement: enabling companies to access existing information rather than re‑collect it

How Data-Sharing is Implemented

Under the Framework, data‑sharing is implemented through structured and standardized approaches to collecting, storing, and exchanging information.

Key focuses include:

• the collection and sharing of digital facility records and conformity credentials through RMI member platforms, including the Facility Database and RBA-Online
• the use of consistent data structures that support interpretation across systems

These approaches are designed to improve the usability and efficacy of due diligence information across supply chains.

Relationship to Other Interoperability Modes

Data‑sharing functions as a practical enabler of interoperability, supporting the application of other interoperability modes:

• It hosts third-party assessment data that can be understood and interpreted through the lens of equivalency (depending on availability)
• It supports compatibility by improving how information is generated, shared and understood across systems
• The Responsible Business Transparency Protocol (RBTP) further strengthens this by enabling more consistent data structures and shared vocabularies, improving how information is exchanged, interpreted, and applied across Schemes. Learn more about the RBTP.

Equivalency

Equivalency provides the analytical and formal basis for determining when standards, assurance programs, or conformity credentials can be considered equal or interchangeable in value, meaning, function, or effect. It enables more consistent and informed use of assessment outcomes across different schemes, supporting clearer decision-making and reducing unnecessary duplication in assurance processes.

What Equivalency Covers

Equivalency applies to the evaluation of:

• Standards: the requirements, criteria, and expectations against which supply chain actors are assessed
• Assurance Programs: the methodologies, processes, and governance used to conduct assessments and issue credentials
• Conformity Credentials: the outcomes of assessments, including their scope, status, and results

Equivalency may apply to all or part of these elements, depending on scope and context.

What Equivalency Enables

Equivalency supports more effective due diligence by:

• Enabling structured reliance on assessment outcomes: supporting informed use of third-party data where appropriate
• Improving consistency in how information is interpreted: providing a clearer basis for comparing and using assessment results across schemes
• Reducing unnecessary duplication: limiting repeated assessments where equivalency has been established
• Strengthening confidence in interoperability outcomes: providing transparency on how determinations are made and applied

How Equivalency Is Implemented

Under the Framework, equivalency is implemented through three primary pathways, each serving a distinct function:

1) Benchmarking

Comparative Benchmarking

Comparative benchmarking is the systematic evaluation of standards, assurance programs, and their implementation across schemes. It identifies areas of alignment and difference, evaluates strengths, limitations, and gaps, and provides a more transparent analytical basis for comparison.

Comparative benchmarking serves as the foundational analytical activity that informs all equivalency determinations.

Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking

Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking applies a structured evaluation approach to upstream due diligence service providers used by facilities to support implementation of upstream supply chain due diligence. The Interoperability Framework establishes a facility-led approach to utilizing upstream mechanisms, where the processes and outputs of mechanisms are critically assessed and used as inputs into company due diligence. The use of upstream mechanisms does not replace company responsibility for due diligence. This represents a shift away from the RMI's past approach of upstream mechanism recognition toward a model in which upstream mechanisms are evaluated, supplemented, and actively managed within facility‑led due diligence.

This approach provides a more consistent basis for understanding how facilities use upstream mechanisms to support company due diligence, improves transparency regarding the strengths and limitations relating to this, and supports more informed and controlled use of upstream data in company decision‑making. Most importantly, it helps ensure that upstream mechanism outputs and their usage can be evaluated for sufficiency in supporting effective, facility‑managed due diligence decisions.

How it is applied

Facilities using upstream mechanisms must demonstrate, through structured evaluation, how those systems align with Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) requirements, identify any gaps, and take appropriate action to address them. This includes assessing the quality, transparency, completeness, and usability of information provided, and determining whether it is sufficient to support effective due diligence.

This process is supported through the Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking Assessment Tool and the RMI Guidance on the Use of Upstream Mechanism, which provide a structured way for facilities to:

• assess alignment with RMAP requirements
• identify and document gaps
• define and track actions to address those gaps

The completed tool forms part of the evidence base for RMAP assessments and provides a structured and documented approach to benchmarking upstream mechanisms and demonstrating how they are used within facility due diligence.

Upstream mechanisms may also complete the Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking Assessment Tool and share it with facilities to support this process. This can improve transparency and facilitate more efficient evaluation by providing structured information on the mechanism’s systems, implementation, and outputs, while facilities remain responsible for critically assessing and validating its use in their due diligence.

Note that the Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking Approach includes a six-month transition period and will become a formal requirement beginning in January 2027. Facilities and upstream mechanisms may access the Upstream Mechanism Benchmarking Assessment Tool by contacting RMIassessment@responsiblebusiness.org

2) Recognition

Recognition is the formal acceptance, in whole or in part, of another scheme’s standards, assurance program, and conformity credentials. Recognition is established between scheme owners and is based on defined scope and agreed conditions. Recognition is applied within defined scope and conditions.

• Establishes defined conditions under which assessment outcomes can be relied upon
• Provides a documented basis for accepting equivalent credentials
• May include cross‑recognition between scheme owners where mutual acceptance is agreed

Cross‑recognition enables scheme owners to mutually accept specified standards, assurance programs, and conformity credentials within a defined scope. Where cross‑recognition is in place, assessment outcomes can be treated as equivalent for that scope, providing a clear and consistent basis for reliance across schemes. Facilities of cross-recognized schemes may also be listed on the RMI Public List.

This allows companies and facilities to rely on recognized credentials without duplicative assessments, improving consistency in how assurance outcomes are used. Cross‑recognition applies only within the agreed scope and conditions and does not replace company responsibility for due diligence.

3) Joint Standards or Joint Assessments

Joint approaches to standards and assessments may be applied where differences between schemes cannot be addressed effectively through other pathways. They may be used to address specific areas of misalignment and/or simplify assurance requirements where appropriate. Joint standards or assessments are retained as an exceptional option and will only be implemented where there is a compelling case that doing so simplifies rather than expands the standards and assurance landscape.

Relationship to Other Interoperability Modes

Equivalency builds on and interacts with other interoperability modes:

• Data‑sharing is the mode by which facility records and conformity credential data are collected, standardized and hosted so supply chain actors can access and interpret their significance of facility-level data based on equivalency
• Compatibility supports the interpretation and application of equivalency outcomes by improving system-to-system intelligibility

Equivalency represents the mode through which interoperability supports structured reliance on due diligence information.

Compatibility

Compatibility refers to the deliberate, ongoing collaboration between standards and assurance schemes to strengthen mutual intelligibility and ensure systems can work together effectively in practice. It focuses on improving how different systems interact, while recognizing and maintaining legitimate differences in scope, design, and approach.

What Compatibility Covers

Compatibility relates to how schemes align in practice across:

• Standards and requirements: how scope, terminology, and expectations are defined
• Assurance processes: how assessments are conducted, evaluated, and implemented
• Data structures and outputs: how information is collected, presented, and interpreted

What Compatibility Enables

Compatibility supports more effective interoperability by:

• Reducing unnecessary inconsistencies: identifying and addressing differences that limit usability or clarity
• Improving interpretation of information: making assessment data easier to understand and compare across schemes
• Supporting smoother system interaction: enabling schemes to function together more effectively in practice
• Strengthening the usability of due diligence data: ensuring that information can be applied more consistently by stakeholders

How Compatibility Is Advanced

Compatibility is achieved through ongoing, practical collaboration between scheme owners.

This may include efforts to:

• improve alignment in terminology and definitions
• strengthen consistency in data structures and formats
• enhance understanding and clarity of legitimate system differences
• align where differences in standards or systems impact integrity and undermine equivalency

These activities contribute to a more coherent assurance ecosystem without requiring harmonization or standardization of all aspects between different schemes’ standards and systems.

Relationship to Other Interoperability Modes

Compatibility underpins and supports other forms of interoperability:

• It enables more effective data‑sharing by improving how information is structured and understood
• It supports equivalency by strengthening the basis for comparison and interpretation as similarities are differences are understood

Compatibility helps ensure that interoperability functions effectively in practice, beyond formal structures and agreements. It improves how systems interact without requiring full alignment or creating equivalency or recognition outcomes, operating as an ongoing process that preserves the distinct roles and design of each scheme.

Data and Transparency: The Reponsible Business Transparency Protocol (RBTP)

Interoperability is supported by parallel work on the Responsible Business Transparency Protocol (RBTP), a standardized data exchange protocol for the electronics & automotive industries built on the UN Transparency Protocol. The RBTP addresses key barriers to interoperability: the lack of consistent and comparable data across standard schemes, supply chain actors, and international market operators. 

What the RBTP Enables

The RBTP supports interoperability by strengthening how due diligence information can be structured, exchanged, and interpreted across systems, while enabling each actor to retain control over their own data. 

• Standardized data schema: supporting structured exchange of facility and assessment information across standard schemes
• Shared sustainability vocabulary and improved comparability: enabling consistent basis for comparison of assessment claims and outcomes 
• Scalable data exchange: Allowing interoperability to function effectively across multiple standard schemes, actors, and platforms; not all data needs to be held in the same system or platform in order to be exchanged and compared 

How RBTP Supports Interoperability

The Interoperability Framework defines how Standards and Assurance Schemes interact through Data‑Sharing, Equivalency, and Compatibility. The RBTP provides an underlying technical foundation that enables these interactions to function effectively in practice, including common data structures, shared vocabularies, and improved data interoperability across systems. It is designed to support decentralized information exchange, enabling due diligence information to be shared across a network of stakeholders and systems while remaining with the organizations that generate and manage it. By enabling the use of common data structures and protocols, the RBTP supports more portable, interoperable, and scalable sharing of due diligence information across supply chains. By aligning both the structural framework and the underlying data infrastructure, interoperability can be applied more consistently and at greater scale across the minerals supply chain. Together, the Interoperability Framework and RBTP support a more coherent and interoperable assurance ecosystem—strengthening the usability, comparability, and credibility of assessment information. 

Learn more about the RBTP.

The RMI's Interoperability Relationships

Scheme	Interoperability Relationship Type	Details
London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)	Equivalency Data-Sharing Compatibility	Cross-recognition of LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance against the RMAP Gold Standard has been in place since 2012. Data-sharing of Reasonable Country of Origin data.
Coppermark	Data-Sharing Compatibility	Sharing of third-party assessed facility data into the RMI Facility Database. Participation in UNTP/RBTP pilots supporting data alignment.
Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)	Data-Sharing Compatibility	Sharing of third-party assessed facility data into the RMI Facility Database and ongoing alignment of mine-site assessment scope to disaggregate processing facilities.
Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)	Data-Sharing Compatibility	Cross-recognition (2012-2026)
CCCMC	Compatibility	MoU in place,  which includes activities designed to improve understanding of system similarities and differences as a basis for future interoperability
Global Battery Alliance (GBA)	Compatibility	RMI standards benchmarked within GBA benchmarking processes in support of Battery Passport initiatives; ongoing coordination on data and transparency alignment.

 

Engage the RMI

Stakeholders engaging interoperability, whether as RMI members, standards and assurance schemes, or facilities, may connect with the RMI to support implementation, provide feedback, or explore potential areas of collaboration.

Engagement may include:

• participating in benchmarking and interoperability activities
• exploring data-sharing and compatibility initiatives
• providing feedback to support continuous improvement of the Framework

For inquiries related to interoperability, including upstream mechanism benchmarking, or related tools, please contact: RMI@responsiblebusiness.org

 

View the Full Framework