Three organizations have rebranded to better represent their growing organizations across multiple supply chains and help them guide companies on their corporate social responsibility paths. EICC becomes the Responsible Business Alliance and CFSI becomes the Responsible Minerals Initiative. The rebranding also extends to the Conflict Free Smelter Program (CFSP).
EICC
The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), a nonprofit coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving social, environmental, and ethical conditions in their global supply chains, has become the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA).
When the EICC was formed in 2004 by a group of forward-thinking electronics companies, it was called the Electronics Industry Code of Conduct. As the EICC expanded its scope, programs, and tools, it became the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition. Since that time, its influence, capabilities, focus areas, and membership have expanded dramatically. The shift to the Responsible Business Alliance marks the next phase of the organization.
“This is an important milestone, and we’re excited to take the next step in this journey with our members,” said Rob Lederer, Executive Director of the Responsible Business Alliance. “The new brand represents the organization today, conveys its leadership on supply chain CSR issues, and will carry us into the future as we accelerate engagement with multiple industries, governments, and stakeholders around the world.”
In 2016, the EICC updated its definition of membership eligibility, allowing not only companies that manufacture or contract the manufacture of electronics, but also companies with products in which electronics are essential to the primary functionality of the product. The new definition opened membership to auto, toy, aviation, and wearable technology companies, among others.
The evolution of the EICC to the RBA recognizes that electronics are increasingly common in diverse products and that these companies have similar supply chains and shared goals of responsible business practices. The new brand will strengthen the organization as it leverages best practices, cross-industry collaboration, and the collective efforts of its membership. For more on the EICC rebrand, watch this video.
CFSI
In conjunction with the EICC’s rebrand to the Responsible Business Alliance, the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI), a multi-industry initiative with over 360 member companies, will become the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).
The CFSI’s new brand better reflects the organization’s direction and expanding scope inclusive of, but not limited to, conflict and security issues in the tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG) minerals supply chain from the African Great Lakes Region. The RMI will continue the CFSI mission and vision under its new name and brand and continue to provide programs, services, and tools to encourage responsible minerals supply chains globally and assist companies with regulatory compliance.
In parallel with the CFSI rebrand to RMI, the Conflict Free Smelter Program (CFSP) name has also changed to the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP). The audit program will continue to support members' SEC filings and “conflict free” designations; however, the audit program will not be limited to a “conflict free” validation as it includes the broader scope of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance Annex II Risks. Moving toward OECD-aligned smelter audit standards, the RMI will also be able to support compliance with the European Union Regulation on Mineral Supply Chains. The new name has already been reflected in revised audit standards for smelters from June 2017. Other changes you can expect to see include a transition from the “CFSI Compliant Smelter” logo to “RMI Conformant Smelter” logo.
The new logos for the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and its initiatives, including the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), the Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI), and the Responsible Factory Initiative (RFI), resemble a compass, pointing toward true north, as the RBA will continue to guide companies on their corporate social responsibility paths.
About RBA
The Responsible Business Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of leading electronics companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains. RBA members commit and are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and utilize a range of training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement. The RBA is comprised of more than 110 electronics companies with combined annual revenue of greater than $4.75 trillion and directly employing over 6 million people. For more information, visit ResponsibleBusiness.org.
If you have any questions about the RBA rebrand, please contact Jarrett Bens.
If you have any questions about the RMI rebrand, please contact Leah Butler.
Reprinted with permission.