The Institute for Sustainable Futures (University of Technology Sydney) and the University of Melbourne
published “Certification and LCA of Australian Battery Materials – Drivers and Options,” a study assessing the merits of various certification schemes in conjunction with efforts to demonstrate Australian materials are produced in accordance with best practices.
The report noted: “Several interviewees noted the advantages of the IRMA scheme. These included that they considered the IRMA certification process to be ‘most thorough’ and ‘best standard and process,’ and ‘the most comprehensive of existing schemes.’ One noted that the ‘standard is very high, in terms of social and environmental impacts; integrity really shows.’”
Based on these interviews and the authors’ own research, they concluded that “IRMA is ready for mine site certification now, and appears to offer more advantages (transparency, governance, clear processes), [and] appears to offer a no-regrets approach.”