Aluminium sector unveils new global sustainability standard

BMW Group and Nestlé Nespresso are among 28 organisations to have collaborated on a new standard to improve the environmental, social and governance performance of the aluminium industry.


The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard, due to be released in early 2015, will address key issues around the production and maintenance of aluminium throughout its value chain and includes plans to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Standard uses detailed criteria to address 11 sustainability issues: business integrity; policy and management; transparency; material stewardship; greenhouse gas emissions; emissions; effluents and waste; water; biodiversity; human rights; labour rights; and occupational health and safety.  

Industry players along the aluminium value chain will be able to provide independent, credible and verifiable information regarding their environmental, social and governance performance, allowing suppliers and materials throughout the supply chain to be identified based on their sustainability performance.

Important first step

The ASI standard-setting process was facilitated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Commenting on the standard, the organisation’s director general Julia Marton-Lefèvre said: “The ASI Standard is an important first step. Once implemented, it will help companies achieve greater efficiencies and transparency, while improving their social and environmental performance.”

End-users of aluminium, such as Audi, BMW Group and Jaguar Land Rover, have already indicated their intention to buy certified aluminium as soon as it is available.

Lois Vallely

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