Mercedes-Benz is committed to the responsible sourcing of aluminum, relying on the application of recognized standards and robust certificates. The Stuttgart based car manufacturer is part of the non-profit Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to support the spread of an independent certification scheme for the entire aluminium value chain. The aim is to intensify dialogue with all stakeholders in the aluminium supply chain to achieve continually measurable improvements in the areas of human rights, the environment and responsible business management – from aluminium production and usage to recycling. Today the ASI standard is applied in Mercedes-Benz press shops in Europe. Moreover, an effective award criterion is in place for supply contracts for all primary aluminium destined for Mercedes-Benz press shops and foundries in Europe.
For Mercedes-Benz engaging with local communities a priority in addressing human rights risks in raw material supply chains. To build expertise around community participation in audits and standards processes, the company supported a project in cooperation with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) focused on increasing the involvement of affected local communities before, during and after the assessment of mine sites and ensuring that the process has a positive impact on the situation on-site.”
Following this principle Mercedes-Benz and Hydro plan to jointly work through their respective memberships in standard initiatives towards transparent and inclusive processes that lower the hurdles for stakeholder participation, especially for mining communities and indigenous peoples. Both potential partners share the same understanding of sustainability, which is the prerequisite for a long-term partnership.
