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Knowledge Hub

Media room

We are happy to work with journalists around the world to share ASI’s sustainability journey.



Media enquiries

If you have a media enquiry, contact Dr Fiona Solomon, CEO, via communications (at) aluminium-stewardship.org

 

ASI – Frequently Asked Questions

ASI was formed as a multi-stakeholder initiative to drive a global, sector-wide transformation for aluminium. We believe that taking action at each step of the value chain will maximise the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society.  Our work spans from bauxite mines and recycled aluminium, right through to downstream use sectors.

ASI operates an independent third-party Certification program to embed sustainability and human rights principles in aluminium production, use and recycling.

ASI’s Standards are a performance and supply chain tool, and are specifically designed for implementation across the global aluminium value chain.  They are developed and improved through a rigorous multi-stakeholder process involving producers, users, civil society and Indigenous community representatives.

ASI Certification is backed by a credible assurance program that we carefully oversee.  Qualified auditors must undertake mandatory ASI training and have the relevant sectoral and country experience to carry out ASI audits. Every third-party audit report is reviewed by the ASI team for alignment with ASI processes.

Beyond the standards, we engage directly with affected communities and collaborate on data, research and other activities. We are working to continually expand our digital presence and collaborations to support stakeholder processes and decision-making.

A 2021 survey of ASI Certified Members found that the main benefits were to:

Demonstrate sustainable practices to external stakeholders
Improve business practices resulting from the Certification process

ASI’s Performance Standard covers critical issues for the entire aluminium value chain including biodiversity management in mining, indigenous peoples’ rights, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management and material stewardship. The ASI Chain of Custody Standard links responsible production with responsible sourcing and supports increased emphasis on sustainability in procurement practices.

SEE OUR ASI CERTIFIED MEMBERS

The concept of ASI emerged in 2009.  In 2012, a multi-stakeholder project under IUCN developed ASI’s general approach.  ASI was incorporated as a non-profit entity in 2015 in Australia.

In 2015-2016, ASI developed and implement its new governance model as an incorporated entity. In 2016-2017, it carried out public consultations for both the ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard, plus supporting documents, and developed and testes its assurance model via an online platform ‘elementAl’. ASI officially launched its certification program in December 2017.

From 2018, ASI focused on implementation of the program and oversight of the certification of ASI Members. As part of its support to members seeking certification, ASI has translated ASI materials into other languages, launched its training program ‘educationAl’, developed and launched its online assurance platform elementAl, grown the list of ASI Accredited Auditors and ASI Registered Specialists, and continues to improve all these elements.

In 2021, ASI achieved ISEAL Code Compliant membership status. The ISEAL Alliance is an association of leading voluntary international standard-setting and certification organisations that focus on social and environmental issues and collaborate to build good practice and international recognition for their programs.

For ASI’s current focus – see Activities and Plans.

ASI publishes membership growth charts and other statistics here.

Search the full list of ASI members here.

There is a growing market for transparency and assurance in supply chains of minerals and metals. ASI’s robust and credible certification system addresses this need for the global aluminium value chain.

ASI has a strong commitment to competition law compliance and will play no role in commercial arrangements between suppliers and customers, or in setting prices or premiums. It is likely that when there is sufficient volume and market interest, price reporting agencies will gather and publish data on this, as is done for other types of premiums in the metals sector.

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