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.
Recognised alignment-assessed standards (track A)
| Standard | Proof point |
| Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3* | ASI Audit Report |
| Chinese Due Diligence Guidelines for Mineral Supply Chains (Second Edition)* | Mineral Supply Chain Due Diligence Assessment Tool (Smelter & Refiner) |
| ITA-RMI Assessment Criteria assessed with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process* | RMAP Summary Assessment Report and RMAP Conformance Certificate |
| Tin Code (Standard 7.3 Responsible Sourcing) assessed with the ITA-RMI Assessment Criteria* | Provide a Tin Code Report with Standard 7.3 fully met and third-party verified |
| RMI Cobalt Refiner Supply Chain Due Diligence Standard* | RMAP Summary Assessment Report and RMAP Conformance Certificate |
| RMI Tin and Tantalum Standard* | RMAP Summary Assessment Report and RMAP Conformance Certificate |
| Joint Due Diligence Standard* assessed with the Copper Mark Assurance Process or Responsible Minerals Assurance Process |
Copper Mark Summary Report demonstrating that the LME Brand fully meets or partially meets the conformance criteria of the Joint Due Diligence Standard OR RMAP Summary Assessment Report demonstrating that the LME Brand is in conformance with the Joint Due Diligence Standard |
| London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Responsible Gold Guidance version 9* | Independent Reasonable Assurance Report |
*conditional upon implementation alignment assessment (see LME Policy 5.2 (i))
The LME is only reviewing aspects of alignment assessments that correspond to the obligations of LME brand producers (typically the smelters or refiners). Further to this, the LME is only reviewing aspects related to the supply chains of metals approved for good delivery on the Exchange against physically settled contracts (aluminium, aluminium alloy, North American Special Aluminium Alloy Contract (“NASAAC”), cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc). We are conscious of the fact that not only does the OECD Guidance itself go further than this in scope (extending to various additional upstream and downstream actors), but so do many of the recognised alignment-assessed standards both in extent of issues and minerals covered. Anything outside of the scope that the LME has specified for the OECD-alignment portion of its responsible sourcing requirements is not under review by the LME.
For details on alignment assessments, please see the LME Policy on Responsible Sourcing of LME Listed Brands Paragraph 5.
Approved alignment assessment companies*
| Company | Contact details |
| Arche Advisors | info@archeadvisors.com |
| Kumi Consulting Ltd | https://kumi.consulting/contact |
| RCS Global Ltd | https://www.rcsglobal.com/contact |
| TDI Sustainability | https://tdi-sustainability.com/contact-us/ |
| TÜV Thuringen (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. | info@tuv-thuringen.com.cn |
*The LME acknowledges that the number of firms capable of conducting alignment assessments and audits is limited in certain knowledge areas or regions. Although capacity is increasing, if any potential standard or brand producer is unable to find a suitable firm to conduct alignment assessments and audits, we would request that you contact the LME. In certain circumstances, the LME may be able to consider the issues around the availability of firms, and make specific allowances, where it is appropriate to do so, until capacity increases.
Approved audit companies
| Company | Contact details |
| Arche Advisors | info@archeadvisors.com |
| Bureau Veritas (Beijing) Co., Ltd. |
Helen.hu@bureauveritas.com |
| Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP (Deloitte China) |
RAMN@deloitte.com.cn |
| ERM Certification and Verification Services | post@ermcvs.com |
| KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd | sustainability@jp.kpmg.com |
| PwC Belgium (PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/Réviseurs d'Entreprises SRL) | be_lme@pwc.com |
|
RCS Global Ltd |
https://www.rcsglobal.com/contact |
| TDI Sustainability | https://tdi-sustainability.com/contact-us/ |
| TÜV SÜD Certification and Testing (China) Co., Ltd | Thoma.fu@tuvsud.com |
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
|
Programme name |
Relevant point of equivalency |
Proof point |
|
Criteria 14. Environmental Management System from the Copper Mark Criteria Guide for the Risk Readiness Assessment February 2020, assured through the Copper Mark Assurance Process |
Provide a Copper Mark Summary Assessment Report with this criterion shown as “Fully Meets” | |
| RMI's Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Standard for Mineral Supply Chains | Entire standard | |
|
Provide Externally Verified results from the listed TSM protocols showing Level A or above, “Yes” for the Supplement criteria, and “Yes” for the three indicators in the Crisis protocol. Versions listed are Canadian versions. |
ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 – occupational health and safety management certification
|
Programme name |
Relevant point of equivalency |
Proof point |
|
Criteria 12. Occupational Health and Safety from the Copper Mark Criteria Guide for the Risk Readiness Assessment February 2020, assured through the Copper Mark Assurance Process |
Provide a Copper Mark Summary Assessment Report with this criterion shown as “Fully Meets” | |
| RMI's Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Standard for Mineral Supply Chains | Entire standard | |
|
Safety and Health Protocol |
Provide Externally Verified results from the TSM Safety and Health Protocol showing Level A or above. Versions listed are Canadian versions. |