RBA Audit Recognition
Table of Contents
Whether you're a facility manager or a smelter representative, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about receiving your official certification from the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) or Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).
An Audit Recognition Certificate serves as a critical validation of your organization's commitment to responsible business practices. These certificates are issued after successfully completing either the Validated Assessment Program (VAP) or the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP), confirming that your facility or smelter meets rigorous industry standards.
Key Insight: Certificates are not instant - they typically require 4-6 weeks of post-audit processing and review.
Certificate Issuance Process
Certification isn't automatic. Your organization must complete a comprehensive audit and meet specific conformance requirements. For VAP audits, this means thoroughly addressing all audit findings, while RMAP audits require meeting specific mineral sourcing and responsible production standards.
- Facilities receive VAP certificates after the audit report finalization
- Smelters/Refiners get RMAP certificates upon meeting full requirements
- Certificates are electronically sent to the designated primary contact
Who Receives the Certificate?
- Facilities: For VAP audits, the certificate is issued to the audited facility once the audit report is finalized and conformance is confirmed.
- Smelters/Refiners: For RMAP audits, the certificate is issued to the smelter or refiner that successfully meets the RMAP requirements.
When Should You Receive It?
- Certificates are typically issued after the audit report is finalized and approved, which can take 4–6 weeks following the completion of the audit.
- For VAP audits, the timeline may vary depending on corrective actions and closure of non-conformances.
- For RMAP audits, issuance occurs once the smelter/refiner is officially listed as Conformant on the RMI Smelter List.
Troubleshooting Missing Certificates
If you haven't received your certificate, follow these strategic steps:
- Verify your audit status in the RBA or RMI portal
- Check spam/junk email folders
- Contact the appropriate help desk with specific details:
- Facility/smelter name
- Audit ID
- Audit completion date
- Primary contact information
Important: Certificates are only issued after all corrective actions are fully closed.
Who to Contact If You Haven’t Received Your Certificate?
If you believe your audit has been completed and approved, but you have not received your certificate:
- Verify Status: Check your audit status in the RBA or RMI portal to confirm that the audit is finalized.
-
Contact the Help Desk:
- RBA Audits: Email vap@responsiblebusiness.org
- RMI Audits: Email rmi@responsiblemineralsinitiative.org
- Provide the following details in your inquiry:
- Facility or smelter name
- Audit ID or reference number
- Date of audit completion
- Prime Contact information
Proactive Certificate Management
To ensure smooth certificate retrieval, maintain updated contact information in your RBA/RMI portal and stay proactive about addressing any audit findings promptly. Timely resolution of non-conformances accelerates your certification process.
By understanding these guidelines, you can effectively navigate the Audit Recognition Certificate process, demonstrating your organization's commitment to responsible and transparent business practices.