November 2020

Annual Progress Report Metals 2019/2020

Collective Actions to Address Systemic Risks and Increasing Collective Leverage

The parties committed to undertake collective actions to address identified and prioritised systemic risks in the industry supply chain and to encourage other relevant organisations to sign the Metals Agreement. A working group is responsible for internal and external communications, execution of collective projects, and collaboration with other International RBC Agreements.

Some important outreach events like the LME-Week in London, hosted by the Dutch embassy, presented an opportunity for the Metals Agreement to engage with other stakeholders in the sector and to discuss possible collaborations through knowledge sharing and for the purpose of increasing leverage to address risk in the supply chain.


Again, a meeting with members of Eurometaux was organised to increase awareness about the Metals Agreement among Eurometaux’ members. The meeting led to follow-up meetings with the International Tin Association (ITA), the International Zinc Association (IZA), and the Copper Mark on how to improve collaboration. A number of physical events which presented opportunities for outreach like the OECD Forum on Responsible Minerals, the Biennial International Tin Conference, and the National Recycling Congress, are either scheduled to take place online or postponed due to COVID-19.


Furthermore, the parties as well as the Secretariat and the Chairperson were in touch with numerous individual companies to give presentations and to explore synergies for collaboration within the Metals Agreement. Unfortunately, this did not result in new companies joining in the first year.


In addition to the above, some of the important steps taken under this theme include:

  • Development of a list of relevant actors for upscaling;
  • Development of an outreach strategy and action plan for upscaling;
  • Development of a communication strategy for internal and external communication, including a number of communication tools; a standard presentation on the Metals Agreement, leaflet, flyer, and a banner that can be used by parties at events.

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Kay Nimmo, ITA

Kay Nimmo, Head of Sustainability, International Tin Association Ltd

“As an industry leader on responsible sourcing, ITA is excited to partner with the Metals Agreement and work towards our common goal of driving progressive and harmonized social, environmental & governance standards in the metals sector. In the last decade ITA has innovated multiple due diligence solutions for tin, including the ITA Code of Conduct sustainability reporting tool, to international standards. In Year 2 we look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Metals Agreement, including learning through the implementation of International Responsible Business Conduct tools and leveraging our collective positions and expertise to transform metal supply chains from mining to recycling”.