2022 Standards
FAQ Index
2022 Standards FAQs
General
Regular revisions are good practice for standards programs, given changes in knowledge, stakeholder expectations and priority issues.
The 2022 versions are the outcome of ASI’s first major revision since the launch of its Standards and Certification program in 2017.
Multiple rounds of public consultation, overseen by ASI’s multi-stakeholder Standards Committee have improved the certification program, taking into account:
- implementation experience,
- stakeholder feedback and evolving expectations, and
- good practice from other certification programs.
No.
There is no longer a “stand alone” Material Stewardship certification with the Performance Standard version 3.0 (2022); all Entities with Material Conversion and/or Other Manufacturing Facilities are required to:
- Certify against applicable requirements of at least Principles 1-4 for the first Certification cycle under the new Standard (i.e. a maximum three-year period).
- After three years, certify against applicable requirements of the full Performance Standard (Principles 1-11). This three-year period must also include any time where the certification is deemed as provisional.
The intention is that, in line with the revised Standard, all Facilities will be required to demonstrate Conformance to all applicable Criteria within 5 years after the launch of the Performance Standard version 3.0.
Transition period
Yes, there is a transition period.
In the 12-month period following the launch, there will be a transition period for the two ASI Standards. Entities can choose to audit against the existing (2017) or revised (2022) standards during this period.
After 12 months (from 1 June 2023), only the 2022 Standards will be eligible to be used for ASI Certifications and re-certifications, and the 2017 versions will be retired.
Existing certifications against the 2017 standards can continue for their full certification cycle. Existing certifications against the 2017 standards with an expiry date after May 2023 cannot be brought forward in order to re-certify against the 2017 standards.
Surveillance audits conducted after the transition period will be based on the Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard versions used for the existing certification.
From 1 June 2023, all new certification and re-certification audits must be conducted against the revised (2022) Standards.
The new Assurance Manual (v2.0) will be launched at the same time as the revised Standards and will replace the existing (v1.0) version of the Assurance Manual immediately.
Unlike the Standards, there will be no 12 month transition period for the Assurance Manual. Any audit planning and preparation activities undertaken before the launch of the new Standards (i.e. before 19 May 2022) in accordance with the previous version of the Assurance Manual will be acceptable.
From 1 June 2023, all new Certifications will need to be against the 2022 Standards. Any exceptions will be rare and must be approved by the ASI CEO or a delegate. Members must make realistic plans for the 1 year transition period – leaving certification activities to the last minute will not be a valid reason for granting exceptions.
elementAl
Yes.
Self assessments and audits against the 2022 Standards can be conducted as normal.
Key elements in the elementAl transition include:
- incorporating the updated Standards, Guidance and applicability
- incorporating new aspects from the updated assurance manual, including a general description of the Entity to be included in the Public Summary Report. This will provide stakeholders with a better understanding of the nature of the operations and activities.
- embedding updated Certificate designs, with a view to supporting direct data access over stand-alone PDF exports
- enabling and explaining the one year transition period between the current and revised versions of the Standards.
Announcements and information will be posted in the elementAl platform and the FAQ section. Please continue to share any questions directly through the elementAl Help Desk.
To support the transition, it will be possible to update self assessments from the 2017 to 2022 versions in elementAl. More information will be available in the platform. Contact the ASI Secretariat through the elementAl Help Desk if you require assistance.
Yes, you can choose to have an early re-certification audit conducted against the 2022 standards. Early re-certifications are not permitted to the 2017 standards.
educationAl
Yes.
ASI’s online learning platform has been updated to improve user experience while a wider range of training materials has been developed for a growing and increasingly diverse audience. These include brand new curricula and modules, aligned with the revised ASI Standards (2022).
ASI’s educationAl platform now uses the Tovuti Learning Management System. From the May 2022 launch, the legacy Thinkific platform site will no longer be accessible, with all ASI training materials only accessible through Tovuti.
Users will need to create a new account on Tovuti as user data will not be transferred from one platform to the other. Historic module completion data will remain in ASI’s internal systems and is unaffected by the platform change.
London Metal Exchange – Responsible Sourcing Requirements
Yes. The LME has recognised an independent standard alignment assessment of ASI’s 2022 Performance Standard as a Recognised Alignment-Assessed Standard. LME Brands for aluminium can use ASI Certification against the 2022 Performance Standard to demonstrate compliance with Track A of the LME’s Responsible Sourcing requirements.
ASI’s Performance Standard V2 (2022) sets out the steps for risk-based due diligence over aluminium supply chains, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. This is reflected in criterion 9.8 and other supporting aspects of the Standard.
ASI will continue to meet LME’s ongoing OECD alignment assessment requirements into 2023.
SHARE THIS PAGE:
