The 2022 ASI Standards are now available

The revised ASI Performance and Chain of Custody Standards are available for Certification and became available on May 19^th, 2022.  The 2022 versions are the outcome of ASI’s first major revision since the launch of its Standards and Certification program in 2017. 

Cameron Jones, ASI Director of Assurance at the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

Multiple rounds of review and public consultation, overseen by ASI’s multi-stakeholder Standards Committee, have resulted in more than 1000 improvement items being actioned, building on implementation experience, stakeholder feedback and evolving expectations.  Initial work for the revision process kicked off in mid-2019 and has received valuable input along the way from the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum (IPAF), and Working Groups on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Chain of Custody, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Human Rights, Recycling and Material Stewardship, and Standards Benchmarking and Harmonisation.

“This is an exciting milestone for ASI.  Revision processes are intensive but enable us to evolve alongside changes in knowledge, stakeholder expectations and priority issues.  We extend our sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this critical effort and for the hard work and diligence from across the ASI team.  The launch of the new Standards is just the start, and we anticipate positive engagement with the rollout of the updated ASI Certification program over the next 12 months” says Dr Fiona Solomon, ASI Chief Executive Officer.

The Revised versions published include:

• ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022)
• ASI Performance Standard Guidance V2 (2022)
• ASI Chain of Custody Standard V2 (2022)
• ASI Chain of Custody Standard Guidance V2 (2022)
• ASI Assurance Manual V2 (2022)
• ASI Claims Guide V2 (2022)
• ASI Glossary V1 (2022)

English and Chinese versions are available initially, with other language translations commissioned and coming soon.

The transition process to the new Standards

More than 200 ASI Certifications have been issued so far against the 2017 Standards.  This existing portfolio will steadily transition to the new versions in accordance with re-certification cycles.  ASI also anticipates expansion in the uptake of the new Standards as membership continues to grow.

During a 12-month transition period, Entities can choose to audit against the 2017 Standards or 2022 Standards.  After 12 months (i.e., starting from 1 June 2023), only the 2022 Standards will be eligible to be used for ASI Certifications and re-certifications, and the 2017 versions will be retired.  Existing certifications against the 2017 Standards can continue for their full certification cycle.  Members can also choose to have an early re-certification audit conducted against the 2022 standards if they wish.

ASI’s new educationAL learning platform

In conjunction with the launch of the revised ASI Standards, ASI’s learning platform -- educationAL -- has undergone significant updates and upgrades.

The new platform includes:

• Free and self-paced navigation through 21 online courses and 16 recorded webinars
• A tailor-made learning dashboard to easily see which course(s) are recommended and/or assigned to specific stakeholders
• New and updated versions of training modules to align with the revised Standards and to improve engagement with content (e.g. Introduction to the ASI Performance Standard, Introduction to the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard, CoC Deep Dive, Human Rights Due Diligence, Human Rights Impact Assessment, Path to ASI Certification, more…)
• New modules, such as on Greenhouse Gas emissions in the aluminium value chain
• Access to courses and materials developed by partners and similar initiatives.