The Copper Mark, the assurance framework to promote responsible practices and demonstrate the copper industry’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has announced that it is piloting the implementation of its assurance framework for semis-fabricators in 2021/22.
Semis-fabricators convert the metal produced by refiners and convert it – along with clean scrap – into products, such as wire-rod, tubes, sheet and strip, for use further down the value chain. The pilot scheme will pave the way for the official launch of the assurance framework for semis-fabricators in 2023, increasing the reach and coverage of the Copper Mark standard throughout the copper supply chain.
The International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC) and the Copper Development Association (CDA) have both welcomed the launch of the pilot scheme for semis-fabricators, which will enable their members to better respond to increasing investor, corporate and customer demands for responsibly sourced copper.
The pilot scheme will also allow the Copper Mark, IWCC and CDA to build further on their long-term partnerships with each other and collaborate to promote awareness of the pilot scheme and the importance of adopting responsible and sustainable sourcing practices.
Michèle Brülhart, Executive Director of the Copper Mark, said:
“We are delighted to be launching in 2021 the assurance process pilot scheme for semis-fabricators, which will help to ensure a smooth expansion to other semis-fabricator sites in 2023, and further advance responsible sourcing practices. We welcome the support of the IWCC and CDA for the pilot scheme, and we look forward to working closely with them to promote uptake for the pilot scheme.”
Mark Loveitt, President of the IWCC and Member of the Copper Mark Board, said:
“The launch of the Copper Mark’s pilot scheme this year – and the forthcoming official launch of the assurance framework for semis-fabricators in 2023 – responds to the growing demand for responsible sourcing practices and their independent verification. The IWCC is excited to work with the Copper Mark to increase awareness of responsible sourcing practices among fabricators and the wider copper value chain.”
Thom Passek, President of the CDA, said:
“It is exciting to see the Copper Mark working towards widening its assurance framework to semis-fabricators through its 2021 pilot scheme. The pilot scheme offers an important opportunity for semis-fabricators in the copper value chain to better understand the developing standards for responsible sourcing and paves the way for a successful introduction of the full assurance framework in 2023 – helping to further promote and encourage responsible practices throughout the supply chain.”
ENDS
About The Copper Mark
The Copper Mark is a new assurance framework to promote responsible practices and demonstrate the copper industry’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Copper Mark uses a rigorous site-level assessment process to independently verify whether individual copper producing sites have responsible production practices.
The Copper Mark already covers two of the largest copper mines in the world, five producers in the biggest copper producing region in the world, and six of the ten largest companies producing copper. It currently has 25 participating sites – 12 of which have received the Copper Mark, and 11 partner organisations which include companies which use or rely on copper in their products or services.
The Copper Mark is built on a genuine commitment of the copper industry to responsible production as we aim to mitigate the environmental and social impact of the copper industry, and positively contribute to sustainable development goals and the green transition.
The Copper Mark framework involves a robust three-year re-evaluation process at site-level for participants. Participants commit to continual improvement, building the management systems necessary to ensure ongoing legal compliance.
About the International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC)
The IWCC is the representative industry organisation for the global copper and copper alloy semis fabricating industry with members based in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa.
About the Copper Development Association (CDA)
CDA works with the North American copper industry to influence the use of copper and copper alloys through research, advocacy, development, and education, as well as technical and end-user support. Bringing the value of copper and its alloys to society, to solve the challenges of today and tomorrow.