ASI History

2009-2011

A global group of stakeholders from the aluminium industry, civil society, research and policy organisations, and industrial users of aluminium products joined forces to assess challenges, opportunities and needs. This assessment resulted in a report, the Responsible Aluminium Scoping Phase Main Report, that summarised the industry’s environmental, social and governance sustainability-related risks and opportunities.  The report underscored the need for an international multi-stakeholder approach that could complement existing sustainability programs throughout the aluminium industry.  This finding ultimately led to the establishment of ASI, supported by 14 founding companies.

2012-2014

The organisations supporting ASI invited the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be the host and coordinator for the initial standard-setting process. ASI’s establishment was announced at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September 2012.  IUCN convened a multi-stakeholder Standards Setting Group (SSG) and co-ordinated a consensus-building and consultation process resulting in the launch of version 1 of the ASI Performance Standard.

2015

In May, ASI appointed its first Executive Director, and in June the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Ltd was incorporated as a non-profit entity for the purposes of developing an independent, third-party certification program.  It was also registered as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).

2016

Following extensive consultation with members and stakeholders, ASI adopted its definitive Constitution in April, at its inaugural Annual General Meeting, held in Ingolstadt, Germany. The ASI Constitution defined ASI’s governance model, also summarised in the ASI Governance Handbook adopted by the Board later that year.  The newly elected ASI Board and Standards Committee came together for their first in-person meetings, following elections and appointments in March.

2017

After two public consultations (and other elements that fed into the path to launch) followed by in-depth discussion and deliberation of the feedback received by the ASI Standards Committee, the ASI Standards and Certification program was approved by the ASI Board of Directors.  The first ASI Accredited Audit Firm was approved just prior to the program’s launch in December.

2018

The first ASI Certifications were issued for the Performance Standard in April, and for the Chain of Custody Standards in July.  The ASI program continues to grow strongly during this and subsequent years.

2019

Membership reaches 100; ASI becomes a full ISEAL member. Membership reached 100 in September, followed by full ISEAL membership in December. Together, these mark growing participation and external recognition of ASI’s systems.

2020

100 certifications issued. ASI reached a combined total of 100 Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard certifications, less than three years after the certification program launched.

2021

ISEAL Code Compliant status and 200 members. ASI achieved ISEAL Code Compliant membership status and welcomed its 200th member, marking further development of both its assurance systems and membership base.

2022

First major Standards revision completed. The revised Performance Standard V3 and Chain of Custody Standard V2 launched in May, following almost three years of review and consultation. Recognition as a Track A Standard under the LME’s responsible sourcing requirements is another strong highlight.

2023

Membership reaches 300; transition to revised Standards. ASI welcomed its 300th member in June, eight years after incorporation. From 1 June, the revised 2022 Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard became mandatory for all new certifications and recertifications.

2024

GHG Pathways Method and Calculation Tool launched. Publication of the Method and Tool provided Entities across the aluminium value chain with a practical means of defining emissions reduction pathways consistent with a 1.5°C warming scenario.

2025

Certificate #500 issued; Standards revision and FPIC guidance launched. ASI issued certificate #500 in October, marking continued uptake of its certification program. The year also saw the launch of the 2025–2027 Standards Revision and dedicated Free, Prior and Informed Consent guidance for Entities, Indigenous Peoples and Auditors, developed under the leadership of IPAF and the Secretariat.

2026

Membership reaches 400; consultation on revised Standards. ASI reached 400 members, reflecting growing participation across the aluminium value chain. The first public consultation on draft Performance Standard V4 and Chain of Custody Standard V3 generated over 1,400 individual comments, alongside more than 200 inputs from affected communities through targeted engagement.