Certification initiatives are product-focused, rely on standards and use sustainability
metrics to inform end-users on the provenance of commodities. In the metals sector, the
phenomenon of formal certification programs has recently gained traction. Four initiatives
are reviewed to illustrate the status and prospects of metal certification. The prime case
is the Conflict Free Smelter Program operated by the global electronics industry. This
scheme has developed and applied standards on mineral chain-of-custody, including use of
third-parties to audit smelters and refineries all over the world. Additional programs
discussed are the Green Lead Project, Fair Trade and Fair Mined gold, and the Responsible
Jewellery Council. Collectively these initiatives address a variety of sustainability
criteria, including social, economic and environmental dimensions, but focus only on
precious and specialty metals (Au, platinum group, Pb, Sn, Ta and W). Metals
certifications programs are building capacity and infrastructure compared to mature
programs in agriculture and other commodity sectors. Opportunities and issues for growth
of metals certification are considered.