Metals coalition agrees joint standard meeting LME ‘responsible sourcing’ rules

The Copper Mark, the International Lead Association (ILA), the International Zinc Association (IZA), the Nickel Institute and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) are pleased to announce the publication of their Joint Due Diligence Standard for Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc. The Joint Standard can be accessed here.

The five organizations collaborated to issue the Joint Standard to enable companies to comply with the London Metal Exchange (LME) Responsible Sourcing requirements. The Joint Standard takes into account the risk profile of copper, lead, nickel and zinc supply chains and is designed to enable effective due diligence for producers and/or traders of these metals. It builds on existing standards and looks to provide flexibility for multi-metal producers to include any associated metal products of their site(s) as needed.

Compliance of Brands with this Due Diligence Standard will be assessed using The Copper Mark’s Assurance Process or the RMI’s Responsible Minerals Assurance Process. The Due Diligence Standard will be accompanied by a tool helping Brands implement the LME responsible sourcing policy as well as shared training resources. In 2021, pilot implementation will begin. The Joint Standard will also undergo an independent third-party OECD Alignment Assessment, necessary to obtain formal approval by the LME.

The Joint Standard was developed by a working group including the partner organizations, other interested commodity associations, multi-metal company representatives, as well as OECD and LME. Additional stakeholder input was obtained as part of the public consultation period in September 2020, the results of which have been made publicly available.

“The Joint Standard is an important achievement to ensure responsible sourcing practices for copper, lead, nickel and zinc producers. It forms an integral part of the Copper Mark’s expectations for responsible production and we look forward to work with companies on its implementation and assurance,” said Michèle Brülhart, Executive Director of the Copper Mark.

“One of the seven guiding principles of our lead battery value chain Material Stewardship Programme is the adoption of responsible sourcing policies. The finalisation of the Joint Due Diligence Standard for Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc is an important milestone for responsible global supply chain management in the lead industry,” said Andy Bush, Managing Director of the International Lead Association.

“The Joint Due Diligence Standard is an efficient step towards achieving responsibility for more metals. In addition, the DD Standard will be applicable for not only zinc but also all metals that are typically produced as by-products in zinc smelting, e.g. lead and indium. IZA is proud to be among the drivers of this development that will decrease bureaucracy and costs for our members while enabling them to comply with LME requirements”, said Andrew Green, IZA Executive Director.

“Together with our colleagues from ILA, IZA, the Copper Mark and the RMI, we have achieved an important milestone with the publication of the Joint Due Diligence Standard. The standard enables nickel producers to show compliance with the LME due diligence requirements and allows them to maintain access of their brands to this important trading platform. The alignment of activities with other metals was a crucial aspect for many of our member companies. The harmonized approach ensures consistency in the work required for nickel and its various by-products,” said Hudson Bates, President at the Nickel Institute.

“We welcome the further adoption of supply chain due diligence in the copper, lead, nickel and zinc industries and look forward to working with producers on validation and assurance of their management systems and sourcing practices,” said Leah Butler, Vice President of Responsible Sourcing at the Responsible Business Alliance.

For any questions on the Joint Due Diligence Standard, please contact:

For the Copper Mark:                                         info@coppermark.org

For the International Lead Association:       enq@ila-lead.org

For the International Zinc Association:        sgrund@zinc.org

For the Nickel Institute:                                   communications@nickelinstitute.org

For the Responsible Minerals Initiative:       RMI@ResponsibleBusiness.org

About the Copper Mark

The Copper Mark is an assurance framework available for the copper industry to demonstrate its responsible production practices and its contribution to the United Nations SDGs. The Copper Mark offers a comprehensive system that addresses 32 environmental, social and governance issues related to the responsible production of copper, using the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s (RMI) Risk Readiness Assessment. Initially developed and funded by the International Copper Association (ICA), the Copper Mark is incorporated as an independent entity headquartered in the United Kingdom. For additional information visit coppermark.org.

About the International Lead Association

The International Lead Association (ILA) is the trusted global trade association for the lead industry and its member companies are at the forefront of the mining, smelting, refining and recycling of lead. For more information visit www.ila-lead.org.

About the International Zinc Association

The International Zinc Association represents the zinc industry globally, to sustainably grow markets and maintain the industry’s license to operate through effectively managed initiatives in research and development, technology transfer, and communication of the value of zinc. IZA represents 36 full members and over 240 affiliate and associate members. IZA’s members reflect the whole zinc value chain from mining, production, and manufacturing to recycling. Through its sustainability program, IZA coordinates the joint contribution of the zinc sector to achieving the UN SDGs. IZA is an associate member of the ResponsibleSteel Standard and supporting member of the Dutch IRBC for the Metals Sector.

About the Nickel Institute

The Nickel Institute (NI) is the global association of leading primary nickel producers. Our mission is to promote and support the proper use of nickel in appropriate applications. The NI grows and supports markets for new and existing nickel applications including stainless steel, and promotes sound science, risk management, and socio-economic benefit as the basis for public policy and regulation. Through our science division NiPERA Inc., we also undertake leading-edge scientific research relevant to human health and the environment. The NI is the centre of excellence for information on nickel and nickel-containing materials and has offices in Asia, Europe and North America.

About the Responsible Minerals Initiative

The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) is an initiative of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). The RMI is a multi-industry initiative with more than 380 member companies. Its members contribute to the development and international uptake of a range of tools and resources focused on minerals supply chain due diligence, including independent third-party audit programs for smelters/refiners, Minerals Reporting Templates, supply chain risk assessment tools, Country of Origin data, and guidance documents. RMI’s tools cover over 22 metals and minerals and are inclusive of a range of environmental, social, and governance risk areas. The RMI runs regular workshops on responsible sourcing issues and contributes to policy development with civil society organizations and governments. For more information, visit ResponsibleMineralsInitiative.org.   

Cover image: Boliden Rönnskär recycling, Photo credit: Stefan Berg