Due diligence in the metal sector

What is "step 1"?

The government, consumers, business relationships, trade unions and other civil society organisations expect companies to demonstrate that in all their activities they respect the rights of children, employees and local residents and operate in an environmentally friendly manner. By drawing up an international RBC policy, the company makes it clear how it seeks to do business. The company must then integrate the policy internally and into relationships with suppliers and other business relationships.

Want to know more about Step 1?

• OECD Due Diligence Guidance For Responsible Business Conduct - OECD
• Virtual Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains - OECD
• Stap 1 Beleidsplan’ – Social and Economic Council
• Learn how to implement step 1 - European Partnership for Responsible Minerals
• Frequently Asked Questions Step 1 – European Commission

Step 1 and the agreement

The agreement offers via the ‘due diligence webtool’ various instruments to implement the first step as a company. It includes a ‘Model international RBC policy’, as an inspiration for companies when drawing up their own policy. The ‘Maturity Assessment Tool’ helps companies to understand the status of due diligence implementation within the company. The answers to the Maturity Assessment are used to generate a personalized 'Action Plan'. This allows companies to develop a plan to increase their score in the future. Companies submit the Maturity Assessment and the Action Plan annually to the Secretariat. In addition to using the tools, companies gain access to a network of experts to assist them in implementing step 1.

In practice

Companies within the agreement with an (international) RBC policy:

• A&M Recycling | In2Waste Solutions
• Century Aluminum Vlissingen
• Climax Molybdenum
• Gooimeer
• Kasius
• Krommenhoek Metals
• Nyrstar
• Raak Metals
• Smart-M
• Tata Steel Nederland
• Uzimet
• Wuppermann Staal Nederland