Responsible sourcing

Policy documents

Overview of LME responsible sourcing is an easy-to-read description of the rationale for, and requirements of, the LME's responsible sourcing rules. A short form of this document is translated into seven additional languages.

LME Policy on Responsible Sourcing of LME-Listed Brands sets out the basis on which the LME will determine whether a Brand is compliant with the LME's standards for the responsible sourcing.

Part 7 of the LME Rulebook is where the LME responsible sourcing policy is formally incorporated into the requirements for the listing of Brands .

Compliance documents

Brands following track B (audited LME RFA track) or track C (published LME RFA track) are required to fill out the LME Red Flag Assessment template. The document must be submitted to the LME in English, but is provided in seven additional languages for reference.

Brands sourcing solely from secondary materials for the entire duration of the reporting period are exempt from the implementation of the OECD Guidance. Instead, these Brands are required to fill out the LME secondary material sourcing attestation form.

Guidance notes and webinars

LME responsible sourcing: supplier red flags provides interpretation of the two supplier red flags described in the supplement on tin, tantalum and tungsten from the OECD Guidance.

Guidance note for LME ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001 compliance describes the LME’s position on the migration of OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001, the routes to achieving compliance for the ISO requirements, and the auditors and assessors that may be used.

Guidance note for track B audits sets expectations for the audit of Brands following track B (audited LME RFA track).

Watch the responsible sourcing webinar series for an in-depth discussion of the LME’s requirements.

Approved partners

The LME responsible sourcing policy refers to various partners that may support a Brand’s compliance. These entities include LME approved standards for track A, auditors, alignment assessors, and ISO equivalent certification programmes. The assurance summary table describes the different points at which an audit, assurance or assessment is required within the LME responsible sourcing requirements.

You may see the list of approved partners here.

If you would like to become an approved partner, please fill out the appropriate application form(s) available for download on the right and send them to responsiblesourcing@lme.com.

Market consultation

The LME completed a formal, market-wide consultation before setting the responsible sourcing requirements. In October 2018, the LME launched its position paper on responsible sourcing, which laid out the LME's proposed route forward for responsible sourcing in order to receive market feedback and ensure that its proposals were meaningful, balanced and fair. From April 2019 to June 2019, the LME ran a consultation on the implementation of responsible sourcing requirements. The position paper, consultation documents, and the LME’s analysis of the feedback are available for download.

Reporting

The LME is pleased with the level of engagement after the first reporting deadline on 30 June 2022. Reflections on year one summarises the track information submitted to the LME by brand producers. The LME Sustainability Fact Sheet provides an overview of LME's sustainability journey including LME's internal net zero plan, LMEpassport enhancements, LME-listed brand information, responsible sourcing statistics and updates from the responsible sourcing related charities: The Impact Facility and Pact.

Track C Red Flag Assessment Summary - 2021 Reporting Year will be published here after 31 December 2022.