Sustainability Spotlight - October 2023: Read all about the sustainability highlights from LME Week, the latest developments on LMEpassport, and more information about recent travels to China to review the progress of responsible sourcing in the region.
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In October 2019, the LME announced its responsible sourcing requirements following a formal market-wide consultation.
The requirements for all current and future LME-registered brands are to:
- Implement the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High Risk Areas (“OECD Guidance”) through track A, B or C or confirm secondary sourcing through track D.
- Maintain an ISO 14001 environmental management system certification or equivalent.
- Maintain an ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system certification or equivalent.
The first reporting deadlines for the OECD Guidance requirement began on 30 June 2022 and all aspects of the requirements will be fully embedded by 31 December 2023. The content below explains the requirements and deadlines in detail, provides the documents necessary to comply, and connects you to topic-specific guidance.
If this is your first introduction to responsible sourcing and the LME, the LME recommends starting with the LME Responsible Sourcing Handbook.
If you are an LME brand producer wishing to submit compliance information, please email the team.
Contact us
For further information, or to submit compliance information, please contact our Responsible Sourcing team.
Policy documents
The 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 and the embedded Red Flag Assessment Workbook.
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 following track D.
Guidance notes and webinars
The LME Responsible Sourcing Handbook summarises the LME responsible sourcing requirements and provides specific guidance on topics that merit additional explanation. Appendix A – E within the handbook should be used in conjunction with the LME Policy on Responsible Sourcing of LME Listed Brands.
Watch the on-demand webinar series for an in-depth discussion of the LME’s responsible sourcing requirements.
- LME Responsible Sourcing Handbook (PDF)New
- Appendix A - Guidance Note on Track B Audits (PDF)New
- Appendix B - Guidance Note on Supplier Red Flags (PDF)New
- Appendix C - Guidance Note on Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas CAHRAs (PDF)New
- Appendix D - Guidance Note on ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Compliance (PDF)New
- Appendix E - Assurance summary table (PDF)New
- On-demand webinar series
Approved partners
The LME Responsible Sourcing Policy refers to various partners that may support an LME-listed brand’s compliance. These entities include LME-approved standards for track A, auditors, alignment assessors and ISO equivalent certification programmes.
View the list of approved partners.
If you would like to become an approved partner, please fill out the appropriate application form(s) available for download on the right hand side of this page and send them to responsiblesourcing@lme.com.
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 Factsheet 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.
LME Red Flag Assessment Summary Statistics - 2021 includes red flag assessment data of all LME-listed brands that followed track C to comply with the policy.
The LME is also partnering with charities Pact and The Impact Facility to fund two responsible sourcing projects.
Find out more