Press
Taking ESG and Sustainability in Manufacturing one step further – DMT launches exclusive Certification Pilot Program for TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 Performance Standard – Downstream (CPS II)
The growing importance of ESG requirements (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) in the natural resources sector reflects a shift to more sustainable and ethical practices in resource extraction and production. Embracing ESG principles is essential for manufacturing companies, such as battery, electronics, and steel manufacturing, end-of-life recycling facilities or cell component manufacturing, to demonstrate sustainable operations. This is where the CERA 4in1 Performance Standard – Downstream (CPS II) comes into play to support companies.
„The CERA 4in1 Performance Standard – Downstream (CPS II) is tailored to manufacturing facilities that incorporate mineral raw materials in their production processes and their ESG performance. It establishes the increasingly demanded and required benchmark for ESG requirements throughout the manufacturing process. CPS II thus increases operational efficiency and competitiveness in the dynamic manufacturing sector and guides manufacturers towards more responsible operations in compliance with best ESG practices and current regulations. It is preparing companies for future advancements“, explains Jens-Peter Lux, DMT Managing Director and Head of Natural Resources & Infrastructure of the TÜV NORD GROUP Business Unit Energy & Resources.
CPS II is an ESG standard designed to help companies identify and manage ESG-related opportunities and challenges. It focuses specifically on companies in the global manufacturing industry which process raw materials into semi-final products and is applicable to companies of all sizes, from small businesses to large multinational corporations.
Samuel Olmos Betin, Project Manager at DMT and MaDiTraCe, in charge of the standard development of CPS II, points out the advantages of companies getting certified according to CPS II: “The standard promotes the implementation of sustainable practices across production processes and supply chains, helping companies minimize their environmental impact, take social responsibility, and practice transparent and ethical corporate governance. By meeting these requirements, companies can improve their market opportunities by positioning themselves as sustainable and responsible partners. This increases their attractiveness to investors, customers, and business partners and boosts their global reputation – especially by proving compliance with national legislation and international standards, guidelines, and frameworks such as OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High- Risk Areas, OECD Guidelines for multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, and the UN Global Compact.”
He also highlights the importance of the exclusive pilot program, which offers participants a free pilot audit. The program, running from September to December 2024, aims to test the CPS II standard and demonstrate its effectiveness. “Participants will showcase their commitment to advancing ESG-compliant practices in manufacturing and gain valuable insights to refine their ESG practices.”
The biggest strength of CPS II is, that it is part of the bigger certification concept TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 – a concept consisting of four standards that will provide proof of ESG compliance along the entire value chain. For this purpose, the CERA 4in1 system divides the value chain into four distinct certification standards that will cover all minerals worldwide and apply to companies of any size. TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 was launched by TÜV NORD CERT in January 2024, with TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 Performance Standard - Upstream (CPS) being the first of the four standards available on the market. The impact of the CPS has already been tested in practice: The mutual recognition of a national ESG standard with the international CERA 4in1 standards was successfully trialed as part of a pilot project with the Spanish holding company ICL Iberia. A major German car manufacturer has also already carried out a comprehensive sustainability audit in accordance with CPS in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The pilot, conducted with a cobalt mining company, was completed in 2023 and identified several issues, which were subsequently addressed.
While CPS focuses on the early stages of the value chain, including the extraction, processing, smelting, and refining of mineral resources, CPS II addresses the later stages of the value chain, particularly the production of semi-final products derived from processed minerals.
The development of CPS II and the other three standards CERA 4in1 Readiness Standard (CRS), CERA 4in1 Chain of Custody Standard (CCS) and CERA 4in1 Final Product Standard (CFS) is ongoing within the EU-funded research consortium MaDiTraCe, which includes DMT as expert in engineering and mining. So, the CRS has also already been put to the test in a pilot program with an Eastern Europe mining company. The pilot program tested the practicality and functionality of the requirements of CRS and was able to gather valuable feedback on its clarity and applicability. It also demonstrated how CRS's progressive and standardized approach to evaluating exploration and mine development projects can provide insights and identify areas for improvements, leading to significant advancements in ESG practices.
The launch of the CPS II pilot program is another important step towards the implementation of TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 as a holistic concept and thus towards greater sustainability in the raw materials sector.
For registration in the pilot program and more information about the ongoing development of CERA 4in1 within the MaDiTraCe project, please visit https://www.maditrace.eu/cera4in1
For more information about TÜV NORD CERA 4in1, please visit https://www.tuev-nord.de/en/company/certification/services/tuev-nord-cera-4in1-esg-certification/.
For more information about the TÜV NORD CERA 4in1 Performance Standard - Upstream (CPS), please visit: https://www.tuev-nord.de/en/company/certification/services/tuev-nord-cera-4in1-performance-standard-cps/
Press contact:
Knut Hirsch
Press Officer / MaDiTraCe
E-mail: knut.hirsch(at)dmt-group.LÖSCHEN.com
Phone: +49 201 172 1315
About TÜV NORD CERT
TÜV NORD CERT is an internationally recognized and reliable partner for testing and certification services. Our experts and auditors have in-depth knowledge and are always permanently employed by TÜV NORD. This guarantees independence and neutrality as well as continuity in the support of our customers.
About TÜV NORD GROUP
Since our foundation more than 150 years ago, we have been the global byword for security and trust. As a knowledge-based company, we have the digital future firmly in mind. With specialists ranging from engineers and IT security professionals to professionals for the mobility of tomorrow, we use our expertise in over 100 countries to ensure that our customers will be even more successful in the networked world.
About MADITRACE
MaDiTraCe aims to expand its technological solutions for traceability and certification of responsible raw materials supply chains into a digital product passport (DPP) compatible with the EU battery passport. The project focuses on lithium, cobalt, natural graphite, and rare earths, each with unique supply chain contexts, responsible sourcing initiatives, and methods of tracing material origin. Material traceability is linked to global due diligence obligations and responsible sourcing initiatives. The project is developing the CERA4in1 sustainable sourcing standards and integrating intrinsic origin information and material certifications into the DPP, aligning the battery passport with circular economy objectives and due diligence obligations.
