Transparency and sustainability: TÜV NORD launches ESG certification concept for the commodities sector
Certification: TÜV NORD CERA 4in1: erste Zertifizierung für mineralische Rohstoffe entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette.
Certification: TÜV NORD CERA 4in1: erste Zertifizierung für mineralische Rohstoffe entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette.
An important milestone has been reached on the road to traceability, transparency and sustainability in the raw materials sector: the market launch of TÜV NORD CERA 4in1, the first holistic, globally applicable, four-stage certification concept for mineral raw materials along the entire value chain right through to the end product. This certification concept is an important step towards a sustainable transformation in the raw materials sector. With the TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 Performance Standard (CPS), the first CERA 4in1 standard is now available on the market. The CPS supports production sites in the mining, processing, smelting and refining of mineral raw materials in meeting ESG criteria in the areas of environmental, social and governance - the key factors for a sustainable future.
The establishment of a holistic certification concept in the raw materials sector that can map the highly complex certificate landscape is a decisive milestone. Especially since raw materials play a key role in overcoming the challenges of our time, such as the sustainable transformation of our society, digitalization, the transition to renewable energies and the transport sector. The commodities sector is confronted with an increasing number of tasks and legal regulations that are being implemented in Europe and worldwide to increase transparency and sustainability. These challenges offer new opportunities that will transform the extractive sector worldwide. The EU-funded TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 certification scheme, with its four integrated standards, is well equipped to tackle these challenges and meet the expectations of all stakeholders, including investors, shareholders, customers, business partners, governments, employees and society itself. This certification system enables end consumers and companies to make sustainable purchasing decisions.
What is CERA 4in1?
CERA 4in1 is the first and so far only certification concept that enables proof of ESG compliance along the entire value chain: from exploration, extraction and processing through to the end products. The four-stage solution with its integrated standards, the Readiness Standard (CRS), the Performance Standard (CPS), the Chain of Custody Standard (CCS) and the Final Product Standard (CFS) has one major advantage: it can be used for all types of minerals, anywhere in the world and for any size of company.
Sandra Gerhartz, Managing Director of TÜV NORD CERT, explains the current market situation: “Sustainability certifications in the raw materials sector are extremely complex and often differ considerably from one another. To enable transparency right through to the end consumer, we need an intelligent and streamlined certification process that reliably measures and certifies compliance with ESG guidelines. CERA 4in1 is the first global certification concept that covers all minerals along the entire value chain right through to the end product.”
Against the backdrop of existing certificates that only cover parts of the value chain or specific raw materials, creating a confusing, complex and fragmented market situation, the universal approach of CERA 4in1 simplifies the certification process, reduces complexity and brings transparency and reliability to the raw materials sector. Today's launch of the CPS is the beginning of the change in the commodities sector that will lead to sustainable and secure supply chains for the future.
What are the benefits of CPS?
The TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 Performance Standard is a milestone on the way to more transparency in the raw materials sector. It enables companies of all sizes in the mining, processing, smelting and refining of mineral raw materials to have the ESG compliance of mining sites, processing plants and smelters certified. The structured, step-by-step approach prevents excessive demands during this process while at the same time fulfilling all ESG requirements.
“The CPS provides mining companies of all sizes with a direct route to meeting the sustainability requirements of international markets. CPS certification contributes to the long-term profitability and competitiveness of the company in the extractive sector and makes it a trustworthy business partner that takes responsibility,” confirms Andreas Hucke, TIC Manager CERA 4in1, TÜV NORD CERT.
The effectiveness of the CPS has already been tested in practice. A major German car manufacturer has carried out a comprehensive sustainability audit according to the first standard, the CERA 4in1 Performance Standard, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The pilot project was completed in 2023 in collaboration with a cobalt mine. In another pilot project with the Spanish holding company ICL Iberia, the mutual recognition of a national ESG standard with the international CERA 4in1 standards was successfully tested. This means that national producers can also use CERA 4in1 to meet international sustainability requirements and expand their markets.
CPS is a big step towards helping the extractive sector move towards a sustainable future. CPS and CERA 4in1 have the potential to shape a better future by increasing transparency, building trust, contributing to the realization of environmental and social goals and thus helping to establish responsible business practices.
More information:
The CERA 4in1 system on the TÜV NORD website
The CERA 4in1 Performance Standard CPS on the TÜV NORD website
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