Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic Holdings Corporation joins ITSCI

In April 2023, ITSCI welcomed Panasonic Holdings Corporation as an ITSCI Associate Member. The ITSCI Associate Membership is open to any company in the downstream supply chain (post-smelter level), including metal traders and exchanges, component manufacturers, product manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and retailers.

As stated in its sustainability company description, ‘Panasonic strives to manage its business and act appropriately as a public entity of society while contributing to the global environment and human well-being through its products and services. That is the idea behind the sustainability management that the Panasonic Group practices. Panasonic is committed to promoting sustainability management globally and contributing to the world’s future with suggestions for tomorrow’s lifestyles.’

As ITSCI Associate Members, companies participate in a large-scale joint industry programme that advances and demonstrates positive impacts of responsible mining and sourcing of 3T minerals. They have access to up-to-date information on risks and their mitigation as well as on the positive impacts of the ITSCI programme overall, which can be relevant for other international requirements or standards (e.g. Conflict Mineral Reporting, EPEAT, etc.). Downstream companies participating in the ITSCI programme support stakeholders to advance the formalisation of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector and contribute to the improvement of mining governance, for instance, with regards to supporting legal tax collection by the government that can be reinvested in mining communities, developing new decrees improving due diligence, building the capacity of state services, security forces, and local authorities on DRC laws and due diligence.

ITSCI continues to encourage direct engagement and financial support from downstream companies who recognise the value of upstream due diligence and wish to make use of ITSCI information in understanding supply chain risks and their mitigation.