Responsible sourcing

Part 7 of the LME Rulebook

This document lays out the requirements for the listing of brands at the LME. It details the process for application, changes to Brands, suspensions and delisting.

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LME Policy on Responsible Sourcing of LME-Listed Brands

This document sets out the basis on which the LME will determine whether a Brand is compliant with the LME's standards for the responsible sourcing of Metals admitted to trading on the LME.

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LME Red Flag Assessment template

Brands following track B (Audited LME RFA Track) and track C (Published LME RFA Track) will be required to fill out this template as part of the LME’s responsible sourcing requirements. The document is available in English and Chinese.

 English (PDF) 

The LME’s requirements for the responsible sourcing of its listed-brands will not apply to those Brands sourcing their feedstock exclusively from Secondary Materials. Instead, Brands that source solely from Secondary Materials will be required to fill out the two forms below and achieve ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 (or equivalent certification programmes). 

LME secondary material sourcing attestation form

Within this form, Brands will need to attest that they have only sourced Secondary Materials for the production of that Brand for the Reporting Period.

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LME secondary material attestation form addendum

This form is an addendum to the LME Secondary Material sourcing attestation form and should only be submitted to LME alongside a signed LME Secondary Material sourcing attestation form.

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Audit guidance table for Tracks A, B and C*

This document provides a summary of the different points at which an audit, assurance or assessment is required within the LME responsible sourcing requirement process.

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Guidance note for supplier red flags

This document provides guidance to producers of LME-listed brands (“Brands”) in interpreting the two supplier red flags described in the supplement on tin, tantalum and tungsten (“3T Supplement”) from the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

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Guidance note for LME ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001 compliance

This document provides the LME’s position on the migration of OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001, the routes to achieving compliance and the auditors and assessors which may be used.

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^{* Capitalised terms not otherwise defined in this table shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the LME Policy on Responsible Sourcing of LME-Listed Brands ("the Policy"). In case of discrepancy, the Policy shall prevail over this table.}

These are the application forms that must be filled out in order to become an LME approved auditor and / or alignment assessor.

LME Alignment Assessor – Company application form (DOCX)

LME Alignment Assessor – Lead assessor application form (DOCX)

LME Audit – Company application form (DOCX)

LME Audit – Lead auditor application form (DOCX)

This section will be updated regularly, with LME approved standards (for track A), auditors, alignment assessors and ISO equivalent certification programmes once applications are successful.

Approved standards (for track A)

Currently, there are no approved standards (for track A). There are a number of standards that are currently completing the necessary steps to become an approved LME standard. As these standards are approved, they will appear below.

Approved alignment assessment companies

•  Kumi Consulting Ltd
•  RCS Global Ltd
• TDI Sustainability

Approved audit companies

•  KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd
•  RCS Global Ltd
• Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP (Deloitte China)

Approved equivalent certification programmes (ISO)

If you would like to utilise an alternative programme as part of the LME’s responsible sourcing requirements to either the ISO 14001 and / or ISO 45001, then please refer to our guidance document or reach out to the LME team (responsiblesourcing@LME.com).

ISO 14001 – environmental management system certification

ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 – occupational health and safety management certification

From 23 April 2019 to 30 June 2019, the LME ran a consultation on the implementation of responsible sourcing requirements. The consultation and all associated appendices and the LME’s analysis of the feedback can be downloaded below:

LME consultation on responsible sourcing, with appendices (PDF)

LME consultation on responsible sourcing: feedback analysis (PDF)

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. The LME's analysis of this feedback can be found in its feedback analysis report.

LME position paper 

LME position paper on responsible sourcing feedback analysis