Using ASI certification to support sustainability strategies
How can you ensure that your products, whether a car or a vacuum cleaner, are produced with materials that are sustainable, and which have been manufactured in a responsible way? With aluminium, you can look for the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) label.
The world is rightly getting more conscious about climate and sustainability concerns. There is a mentality change coming from younger entrepreneurs and purchasers, where the question of “price” is being replaced by the issue of “decency” in how a product is produced. It is about doing the right thing, and these questions are becoming the new decision gates.
However, it can be difficult to navigate in the landscape of sustainable initiatives. This includes understanding of the origins of raw materials and how they are transformed into products.
Stamp of approval with ASI certification label
Now it should be easier to understand the footprint of the aluminium products with the new ASI certificates that aluminium suppliers can acquire. ASI represents the same approach for aluminium as the Forest Stewardship Council and its FSC label for responsible forestry, or wood, products.
Regarding aluminium certification, the ASI Performance Standard comes immediately to mind. Certification according to this standard confirms an honest way of working, covering topics such as business integrity, environment, and human rights.
This provides customers with the knowledge that the order they are receiving has been produced in a proper way, which of course is not always the case.
ASI’s triple-bottom-line thinking
ASI is the only third-party certification scheme that covers the entire value chain of aluminium, from mining operations to semi-fabricated products. It takes on sustainability challenges from the triple-bottom-line perspective, with governance, environment and social issues.
Companies that want to say they deliver ASI-certified products need to meet certain requirements. They need to be certified against both the ASI Performance Standard and the ASI Chain of Custody Standard.
A manufacturing plant can deliver ASI-certified products to customers only if the site purchases ASI-certified input materials.
ASI provides value for your business
Why should your customers be interested in buying from ASI-certified vendors? Again, let’s look at the business of aluminium extrusions, my business.
- It answers demands from customers requesting ASI profiles
- It answers demands from customers and other stakeholders requiring more third-party environmental, social and governance certifications (such as public projects)
- It has a positive influence on sustainability certifications or labels, like Cradle to Cradle
Similarly, when you use an ASI-certified supplier, you will be positioning your own business as a proactive front-runner, highlighting your commitment to sustainability while staying ahead of future regulations.
And don’t forget: Some companies evaluate the sustainability performance of their suppliers, using platforms such as Ecovadis or NQC. This will only help. It is one of those soft arguments that really helps.
Because your ambition is to be a preferred business partner, right?
