Extractives and Raw Materials Audits

UL's extractives and raw materials auditing team helps companies mitigate the risks associated with raw materials procurement. We work with brands, retailers, wholesalers, processors and raw material extractors/growers associations to identify key risk areas; establish effective monitoring schemes; and implement on-the-ground improvements across the entire extractives (metals and precious stones), wood, shrimp/fish, agriculture and other raw materials supply chains. Our audits can help determine conformance with the Responsible Jewellery Council's (RJC) Code of Practices and Chain of Custody (CoC) as well as Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) Conflict Free Smelter, and London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Responsible Gold Guidance standards. Definition UL helps companies determine ethical sourcing by tracing product components, verifying documentation of origin and trade, assessing workplace conditions, and objectively confirming the source of raw materials. UL also conducts customized assessments in support of industry accreditations or specific client programs. Benefits Extractives: UL's active role in the development of standards and recommendations on due diligence allows us to assist companies in developing targeted conflict minerals programs, customized to customers' needs and aligned with industry action and best practice recommendations. We have the capacity to conduct audits throughout the world. UL's Responsible Sourcing team conducts conformity certification audits for a variety of RJC members, including: Retailers Jewelry manufacturers Diamond grading institutions Diamond cutters and polishers Gold refineries UL can conduct conflict minerals on-site audits along the full mineral supply chain, from mines to end product. We can also track specific inputs of material back to the source by means of an extensive documentation review and the verification of on-site inventory. Owing to our early engagement with most major initiatives, the field work carried out for the EICC-GeSI Conflict-Free Smelter (CFS) Program, the LBMA and the RJC, UL's Responsible Sourcing team has a thorough and in-depth understanding of mineral supply chains from mines to smelters or refineries. This unique understanding of sourcing practices and high-risk areas, combined with UL's in-region presence in Central Africa, provides us with a comprehensive view of company supply chains and enables us to provide high-quality risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies. Having developed a standard assessment tool for conflict minerals, UL is able to carry out due diligence assessments and traceability assessments. Due diligence assessments evaluate the systems in place at the supplier level to ensure information on the origin of raw materials is systematically requested, obtained and maintained on file for a customer's products. These assessments may easily be combined with other types of on-site audits carried out at the supplier. UL's team was the first auditing service to be accredited by the RJC as an assessment body to conduct conformity certification audits, and it can assist members and suppliers in becoming certified under the RJC system. Other benefits of UL's extractives and raw materials audits include: Customized tools and program analysis Internal and supplier training, incorporating local laws and delivered in the local language The ability to fully manage the corrective action process A dedicated account manager to help administer the program Access to a secure online data portal with real-time updates on audit scheduling, audit results, progress toward corrective action and reporting Agriculture: Our standard responsible agriculture assessment is based on industry-wide best practices and internationally recognized standards and has been specifically adapted to the unique needs of agricultural production. The assessment covers social compliance and payroll documentation, private and confidential employee interviews, worker health and safety checks, agrochemical use and storage practices, and basic waste and water management systems. A comprehensive report including categorized data, a descriptive narrative, photographs, risk assessment and recommendations for corrective actions is delivered to the client. Benefits of UL's responsible agriculture sourcing program include: Customized tools, program analysis, and internal and supplier training, all incorporating local laws and delivered in the local language The ability to fully manage the corrective action process A dedicated account manager to help administer the program Access to a secure online data portal with real-time updates on audit scheduling, audit results, progress toward corrective action and reporting