The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has launched a new certification program for the aluminum value chain, focused on responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of the metal, the industry group said Friday.
The certification program will cover all stages of the value chain for aluminum, including bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum smelting, semi-fabrication, product design and manufacturing, and recycling.
"Supply-chain certification programs like ASI are becoming increasingly important for customers and stakeholders, who seek assurance that companies' sustainability practices are genuine," ASI CEO Fiona Solomon said in a statement.
ASI's Performance Standard covers critical issues for the entire aluminum value chain including greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, material stewardship, biodiversity and human rights, while the Chain of Custody Standard links responsible production with responsible sourcing, "and thus increases the emphasis on sustainability issues in procurement," the group said.
Implementation of both standards should see the first ASI aluminum available from 2018 or 2019, it added.
ASI was incorporated as a not-for-profit entity in 2015. Its membership includes primary producers such as Rusal, Norsk Hydro, Rio Tinto and Emirates Global Aluminium, aluminum products manufacturers such as Aleris, Novelis, Constellium and Arconic, and consumers such as Apple, Audi, BMW, Ball Corp. and Nestle Nespresso.
"Today's launch marks the start of a new certification that will embed sustainability and human rights principles into the production, use and recycling of aluminium, and is the culmination of many years of collective effort," said Daniel Weston, chair of the ASI board and general counsel & global head of corporate affairs for Nestle Nespresso, in the statement.
The first ASI-accredited Auditors were announced in November and additional applications are in process, the group said.
