New Publication: Guidance Principles Secondary Metals Published by ISO

Geneva, 5 April 2017 The “Guidance Principles for the Sustainable Management of Secondary Metals” have been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The principles aim to provide a credible global framework for the sustainable management of secondary metals. They will improve practices of economic operators, ensure a credible traceability of recovered metals and promote the formalization of economic operators involved in subsistence activities and unofficial business activities. The principles are seen as a major step towards achieving more social equity, environmental justice and optimal recovery in metal recycling worldwide.

The 51-page publication can be bought in the online ISO store. 

The idea to develop guidance principles for the sustainable management of secondary metals was proposed by the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Roundtable, which is an initiative of the World Resources Forum (WRF) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA). The development process was assisted by the Swiss Association for Standardization (SNV) and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Next steps on Guidance Principles Secondary Metals are the following:

• The publication will be officially launched at the 13th Meeting of the Basel Convention in Geneva, April 28, where both SRI partners and delegates to this UN meeting will meet and discuss the way forward;
• An attractive and accessible 3-minute video – “Tales of Trash: 5 Principles for Inclusive Recycling” – will explain the stories behind the document. First official viewing of this video is scheduled for April 28, Geneva.
• Pilot testing and training will take place in Ghana, Colombia, Peru and South Africa.
• The main deliverables and milestones of the SRI program will be presented at the upcoming 2017 WRF Conference, to be held in Geneva, October 24-25.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI Roundtable) addresses sustainability criteria in secondary resources management in developing and emerging economies. Whilst international efforts on standards and traceability mechanisms to ensure sustainable mining of raw materials exist, similar tools for secondary resources are still missing. This challenge is tackled by the SRI Roundtable.SRI has convened an International Workshop Agreement (IWA) to consult with key and affected stakeholders the development of Guidance Principles for secondary metals. The IWA is a consensus building process under ISO, including public review.