What is the most significant problem with Mica?
Mica is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that is mined for multiple uses, commonly used as a pigment in cosmetic products. The predominant problem of Mica is the exploitation of workers in its extraction and processing. Illegal mining and child labour are prevalent, particularly in the production of Mica in India and Madagascar.
There are a few key ways a business or brand might try to mitigate their use of Mica that has been procured in exploitative or dangerous conditions:
1. Membership in the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI), a global coalition of organisations that seek to implement a fair and sustainable Mica supply chain in Jharkhand and Bihar, where a significant proportion of Mica is mined and exported. The RMI however, is not a certifying organisation and membership does not ensure the adoption of responsible practices. We therefore do not surface this as a separate claim.
2. Synthetic Mica, or Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, can be used as an alternative to natural Mica to circumvent the risk of illegal Mica mining. However, the conditions to manufacture Synthetic Mica do not guarantee ‘better’ or sustainable labour practices, and as such we do not surface this claim.
What if my business completes audits of our Mica in our supply chain?
The assurance of no child labour and the adoption of minimum labour standards during the procurement of Mica can be made transparent by audits completed by Mica processors. If there is interest, initiatives to ensure particular labour standards regarding Mica procurement can be surfaced through our Audited Working Conditions Proof Point at an ingredient level.