Beyond compliance:
commitment and transparency
for responsible gold
The ASMP supports a precious metals sector based on integrity, transparency and responsibility. Through innovative solutions and compliance with international standards, its members are at the forefront of the fight against unethical practices and the promotion of a traceable and sustainable supply chain.
A complex, connected and traceable supply chain:
from the origin to the processing stage, right through to the finished product.
Mining and secondary gold
(industrial, old jewellery)
(LSM, SSM, ASM)
- Corruption
- Human rights
- Child labour
- Environmental and climate impact (e.g. deforestation, emissions, pollution, renaturalisation)
- ASMG relabelling
- Targeted transparency
Refining and processing
- Traceability
- Operating licences and public opinion
- Occupational safety
- Reliability of partners
- Targeted transparency
End use
(e.g. central banks, mints, traders)
(jewellery and watchmaking)
- Direct/indirect financing of terrorism
- Money laundering
- Metal security
- Targeted transparency
Companies adopt customised corporate and commercial policies, carefully tailored to the specific needs of the market and customers, as well as in compliance with applicable regulations and related risks.
RGG, RSG, KYC Questionnaire, Global Precious Metals Code, etc.
Code of Practices and Code of Conduct
International standards and codes of conduct
Through its members, ASMP participates in the definition of new rigorous standards, both within the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) and the RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council), in order to promote a responsible supply chain that respects human rights and the environment. The members of the Association apply these and other principles to prevent conflicts, exploitation and unethical practices.
The Chain of Custody Standard of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) lays down the requirements for ensuring the traceability and integrity of precious materials throughout the supply chain, ensuring responsible and verifiable practices.
The Conflict-Free Gold Standard promoted by the World Gold Council establishes criteria to ensure that gold does not contribute to the financing of armed conflicts and is produced in compliance with human rights and the law.
Guide to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the trade in raw materials, published by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), supports companies in the raw materials sector in implementing the UN Guiding Principles, promoting respect for human rights along global value chains.
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) guidelines lay down strict standards for refineries and operators in the precious metals market, promoting responsibility, transparency and compliance with international regulations; they include the OECD rules on conflict zones (OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas).
Responsible Gold and Silver Guidance (RGG and RSG), developed by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), is a set of international standards designed to ensure that gold is mined, processed and traded in accordance with ethical, social and environmental principles.
Concrete initiatives for a positive impact
The Association and its members are involved in field initiatives which, in collaboration with local governments and NGOs, aim to improve environmental and social conditions in countries where precious metals are mined.
The Swiss Better Gold Initiative (SBG) is a prime example of public-private partnership – between the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBG Association), of which the members of the ASMP are the co-founders – aimed at improving the lives of mining communities and ensuring that gold mined in countries such as Bolivia, Colombia and Peru is produced responsibly and traceably.
Private initiatives by ASMP members are currently underway in Peru, Colombia, Ghana and Mongolia.
Digital Ledger Technology (DLT)-based solutions: real-time transparency and security
The ASMP is contributing to the creation of a DLT-based digital ledger, developed in collaboration with the Swiss company aXedras: an innovative system for tracking every step of precious metals along the entire supply chain – from mine to refinery – in a transparent, secure and verifiable manner.
This technology ensures almost immediate traceability even in complex supply chains involving numerous players. In addition to protecting the integrity of gold products, it enables the management of B2B transactions based on shared and verifiable data while at the same time protecting commercial confidentiality. The system also incorporates advanced security features, such as duplicate bar detection.