TÜV NORD, a German certification company, has launched the CERA 4in1 certification, a novel Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standard encompassing the entire global value chain of mineral raw materials, from mining to the final product.
More specifically, today marks the release of the CERA Performance Standard (CPS), the first of four standards that will be rolled out to the market over the coming years.
The current landscape for raw material certifications is complicated, with numerous certifications catering to individual stages of the value chain, specific materials, and varying markets. CERA 4in1 is looking to unify this process, creating global consistency and equipping companies, stakeholders, and customers to track and fulfil ESG requirements throughout the entire chain.
TÜV NORD Managing Director Sandra Gerhartz emphasised the need for a unified approach, noting, “sustainability certifications in the raw materials sector are incredibly intricate and often differ significantly. A smartphone, for instance, requires roughly 60 distinct elements for its production.”
“Consequently, to ensure the future-proofing and enablement of the raw materials sector to facilitate the large-scale transition to renewable energy and the safe production of products like mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles, we require uniformity and accountability. We firmly believe that the CERA 4in1 certification concept constitutes the solution.”
TÜV NORD has already conducted two pilot projects, including with one of the top 3 German car manufacturers. The project focused on cobalt mining facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has dramatically improved the safety of workers on-site, and ensured that waste materials are disposed of responsibly, with minimal impact on the local environment.
The CERA 4in1 certification system, supported by EU funding, will expand to include the Readiness Standard (CRS), Chain of Custody Standard (CCS), and Final Product Standard (CFS) in the coming years.
According to TÜV NORD, these standards target all kinds of minerals, including copper, cobalt, and aluminium, all around the world and are applicable to companies of all sizes.
Dr. Andreas Hucke, TIC-Manager CERA 4in1, TÜV NORD CERT, said: “CPS enables mining companies of all sizes to receive a clear route to meeting the sustainability requirements of international markets. CPS certification contributes to the long-term profitability and competitiveness of a company in the raw materials sector, making it a trustworthy business partner that demonstrates responsibility.”
