LBMA and LPPM Responsible Sourcing

What is the difference between LBMA and LPPM Certification?
LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) is for gold and silver and LPPM (London Platinum & Palladium Market) certification is for platinum and palladium.

Is SCS Global Services an approved service provider of LBMA and LPPM?
Yes, several members of our staff have completed the mandatory ISAE 3000 training for accreditation to perform LBMA and LPPM audits, and SCS is an approved service provider.

How long is my certificate valid?
A LPPM Certificate is valid for 3 years and an LBMA Certificate is valid for 3 years. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain your certificate.

What are the costs and fees associated with certification?
Prices for SCS auditing services varies depending on the location, size and complexity of your operation. Please contact us for a custom quote and to determine if certification is right for you.

What sets SCS apart from other LBMA certification bodies?

In addition to LBMA and LPPM, SCS also conducts assessments for harmonized standards including the RMI and RJC.

Are LBMA and LPPM assurance engagements onsite or virtual?

Assurance engagements are conducted in-person; virtual audits are allowed under special circumstances and must be approved by the LBMA/LPPM.

We’re new to the certification process. Does SCS provide guidance on the LBMA and LPPMN certification requirements and certification process?

SCS currently does not provide guidance, however, the LBMA and LPPM offer toolkits to all members undergoing an assurance engagement.

Do we have to be members of LBMA/LPPM to become certified?

Yes, refiners must be Good Delivery approved and listed to become certified.

What is the Good Delivery List and how do we become part of it?

The LBMA and LPPM own and manage the Good Delivery Lists, requirements must be met regarding fince ounce weight, purity, marking and surface quality of good delivery bars.

What metals are in scope?

Refiners that produce gold and silver bars, or platinum and palladium plates and ingots.

How do I know if I need a reasonable or limited assurance engagement?

Generally, all initial engagements must be reasonable assurance. Limited assurance engagements are conducted every other year. Determination is subject to LBMA/LPPM directive.  

Why achieve LBMA & LPPM certification?

• Achieve a certification report to show suppliers your commitment to responsibly sourced gold, silver, platinum or palladium
• Be recognized on the Good Delivery List and receive access to the Global OTC Market
• Demonstrate that your responsible processes are working toward overcoming human rights abuses, money laundering, terrorist financing, and more
• Display full transparency and credibility in the supply chain to improve collaboration
• Show continuous improvement of good practices and maintain certification for multiple years

Become a Member of LBMA/LPPM
Ensure that you have LBMA or LPPM membership. To apply, visit http://www.lbma.org.uk/membership or https://www.lppm.com/contact/.  

Select SCS as your Approved Service Provider
SCS will prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs, you sign a Work Order and schedule your assurance engagement.

On-site Assurance Engagement
The scope of activities is agreed upon on in advance. During a site visit, an SCS practitioner will review the applicable metal supply chains and associated due diligence activities with the procedures and documents provided by the client (from receipt of inputs to final product). Additionally, the practitioner will tour the operations where certified material is handled and interview key staff. Stakeholder consultation is an integral part of the assessments. We look for evidence that staff has been duly trained in the responsibilities that have been assigned to them and that staff possess an understanding of the workflow for certified products.

Assessment Report
SCS provides an assurance report, which is submitted to an SCS Technical Associate who validates the appropriateness of the practitioner’s methodology and conclusions. The report is submitted to LBMA or LPPM’s Compliance Review Panel.

Certification Decision
Once corrective actions are implemented, the LBMA or LPPM Compliance Review Panel will take about a month to review and make a certification decision. If granted, you will be issued a certificate by the LBMA or LPPM.

Maintain Certification
Certified companies are listed on the LBMA Good Delivery List or the LPPM Good Delivery List. Annual limited engagements are required to maintain certification.

What other certifications does SCS offer in addition to LBMA and LPPM?
As a sustainability focused company, SCS offers services in every industry for meeting your organization’s sustainability and responsible sourcing goals. Ask us how we can help you.

Services in minerals and metals

• Fairmined™ Gold
• Sustainable Diamonds
• Conflict Minerals Reporting
• IRMA Responsible Mining
• Responsible Minerals Initiative
• Life Cycle Assessment

Responsible sourcing services 

• SMETA Social Audits 
• Responsible Sourcing Strategies – such as consulting, advisory and verification services

Jewelry related services 

• Responsible Jewellery Council Certification
• Responsible Source – Jewelry
• Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol