RMI Assessment Appeals Process

The objective of the RMI Assessment Appeal Procedure is to provide a transparent process for receiving, evaluating, and deciding on appeals of decisions, including appeals related to an assessment result determination and disagreements between assessors, facilities, and the RMI quality control process.

General Requirements

1. Only the entity that was subject to the adverse decision is eligible to appeal.
2. The appeal shall not suspend the validity of the decision, which is being appealed unless otherwise decided by the Appeal Committee).
3. The RMI Program Manager shall ensure that all provisions of this procedure are followed without prejudice.
4. In extraordinary cases the RMI Program Manager may extend any timelines indicated in this procedure. All Parties shall be notified accordingly.
5. All incoming and outgoing correspondence, including the final decisions and follow-up actions, shall be written in English and filed in electronic, hard copy, or both and maintained for a period of at least two (2) years.
6. All Parties involved in the process shall refrain from commenting publicly on the appeal until a decision is made and all Parties are notified.
7. The number of appeals for a single incident is limited to one time – the Appeals Panel decision is final.

Appeal Criteria

The types of appeals covered by this Appeal Procedure include:

1. Substantive Appeals: regarding the RMI assessment result determination.
2. Procedural Appeals: regarding the RMI Assessment’s implementation of the RMI standards and procedures.

Specific Exclusions

The following fall outside the scope of this Appeals Procedure: 

1. Procedural Appeals cannot be brought forward for assessments that were already reviewed by the Appeal Committee as the final step in the quality control review process.
2. Appeal regarding changes to the RMI Standards or supporting documents.
3. Appeals that are trivial, malicious, vexatious, or appear to have been generated to gain competitive advantage.
4. Appeals that are not supported by compelling, objective evidence.
5. Anonymous complaints, which should be directed to RMI’s grievance mechanism (add link).

Appeal Procedure

1. All appeals are acknowledged, processed, and documented by the RMI Operations Manager.
2. The RMI Operation Manager will perform an initial review of the appeal and convene
   the appeal committee. The committee will be chaired by the Chief Operating Officer at the RBA, the RMI Operations Manager, the Assessment Quality Manager, and the subject matter expert. The mechanism will rely on expert guidance through regulatory and RMI Standards.
3. There will be one vote each, majority rules.

For more information about RMI assessment appeals process, please review this document (available in English and Chinese).

Lodging an Appeal

Appellant to submit an appeal (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RMIappeal) within ten (10) business days
after RMI assessment determination result.