A new report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) has identified over 100 Sustainability Standards and Initiatives (SSIs) operating across the minerals and metals value chains.
While SSIs are increasingly being used to promote environmental and social performance, their rapid proliferation has created a fragmented and often confusing landscape for governments, companies, and communities.
SSIs hallmarks:
The UNEP/IGF report identifies 15 hallmarks of effective SSIs, grouped into five categories, that can help policymakers differentiate between credible and weaker initiatives:
- Governance: Effective SSIs are defined by their processes, requiring
(1) transparency of the standard-setting process
(2) stakeholder inclusiveness in development and decision-making, and
(3) impartiality and independence of the governing body. - Scope: In terms of coverage, credible SSIs must ensure they
(4) cover high-priority environmental and social issues
(5) consider the full life cycle and value chain, and
(6) Establish measurable performance requirements (not just management systems). - Performance Assurance: To ensure compliance, effective SSIs must have
(7) robust monitoring, reporting, and verification systems,
(8) require third-party conformity assessment (audits/certification), and
(9) Include effective complaints and grievance mechanisms. - Review Mechanisms: The initiatives must ensure longevity and relevance by
(10) defining procedures for periodic review and revision of the standard
(11) ensuring data and claims are publicly accessible and traceable, and
(12) facilitating interoperability and cooperation with other SSIs and public instruments. - Viability: Finally, a credible SSI must
(13) demonstrate long-term financial viability and resource security
(14) provide capacity-building support for implementation, especially for small-scale actors, and (15) be locally relevant and adaptable to diverse producer-country contexts.
Governance and risk mitigation:
The UNEP/IGF report was driven by the surging global demand for minerals and metals, emphasizing the pressure to ensure responsible sourcing. It concludes that well-designed SSIs can complement but cannot replace strong public regulation. The risk is that weaker SSIs may be used for greenwashing or that their high compliance burdens may marginalize small-scale miners, especially in the Global South.
By adhering to the 15 hallmarks, SSIs can act as powerful tools for sustainability by:
- Raising Ambition: Exceeding legal baselines on climate and biodiversity.
- Supporting Enforcement: Aiding in oversight where public regulatory capacity is limited.
- Fostering Inclusive Governance: Bringing diverse stakeholders into decision-making.
The stocktake underscores that effective SSIs must be credible, transparent, and aligned with public objectives, addressing the challenges of fragmentation and limited government engagement.
A call for independent assessment:
The report calls for greater cooperation, interoperability, and independent assessment of the costs, impacts, and trade-offs associated with the implementation of SSIs.
Isabelle Ramdoo, Director, IGF, said, “The sheer volume of standards is confusing for governments, especially in the Global South. We must prioritize coherence and evidence-based assessment, using the 15 hallmarks as a basis, to ensure these initiatives genuinely enhance, not undermine, sustainable mineral and metal governance.”
UNEP and IGF plan to establish a community of practice to advance this work, ensuring that only credible, robust SSIs contribute effectively to sustainable mineral and metal governance worldwide.
