ASI’s Benchmarking and Recognition Efforts
As sustainability requirements multiply, ASI is strengthening clarity and credibility through benchmarking and mutual recognition with other standards and schemes.
23 January 2026
A key element of ASI’s partnerships work focuses on benchmarking and harmonisation with external Standards Systems. These activities are increasingly relevant as organisations seek to respond efficiently to overlapping expectations while avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort.
Benchmarking is the comparison of ASI Standards with an external Standards System. Recognition of an external Standards System by ASI means that ASI accepts as equivalent the whole Standard or Scheme, or section(s) of it. Recognition of ASI by an external Standards System means that the external Standards System accepts the ASI Performance or CoC Standard as equivalent, or section(s) of it.
Current recognition of ASI and by ASI facilitates:
- Reduced duplication and administrative burden of ASI Certified Entities and ASI Accredited Auditors.
- Increased drivers for, benefit from and/or uptake of ASI membership and certification, particularly by Entities engaged in activities beyond the aluminium value chain.
- Informed revision of ASI Standards (particularly where the ASI Standard may be lower in performance requirements by comparison) and supporting documents and activities (e.g. Guidance, Learning & Training).
To be recognised by ASI, external Standards Systems must meet defined performance requirements, including robust standard requirements and guidance, as well as operational system requirements that support effective uptake, such as assurance mechanisms, governance structures, and credible claims. These requirements are set out in detail in the ASI Standards Benchmarking and Recognition Procedure (2024).
Standards currently recognised by ASI include:
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
- ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
- ISO 37001:2016 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems
- ISO 21930:2017 – Sustainability in Buildings and Civil Engineering Works
- ISO 14044:2006 – Environmental Management: Life Cycle Assessment
- EN 15804 – Environmental Product Declarations
In parallel, ASI seeks recognition by external Standards and Schemes to increase the uptake of ASI membership and certification, particularly among entities operating beyond the aluminium value chain. This broader recognition supports ASI’s mission by encouraging responsible production, sourcing, and material stewardship of aluminium.
External Standards and Schemes that have recognised ASI include green building standards such as the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the Belgian Construction and Certification Organisation (BCCA), the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). In the mining and metals space, ASI is recognised by the LME as an OECD Aligned standard to meet their Responsible Sourcing Rules, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).
Any stakeholder, including ASI Members, Standards Committee and/or Working Group participants, Auditors, and schemes, can identify and propose Standards Systems for potential benchmarking with the ASI Standards and Assurance program, and for ASI to be benchmarked by external Standards and Schemes. To do so, please email info@aluminium-stewardship.org.
As ASI is looking to build the next generation of ASI’s system for sectoral change during the ASI Standards Revision Process, strengthened alignment with other standards and frameworks, including SBTI, Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), IFC PS 5 and PS 6, and ISO 59004: Circular Economy, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and United Nationals Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) is a core objective.
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