Eight companies have signed up for The Copper Mark's pilot scheme for 2021-22 to ensure sustainable production for copper semis-fabricators.

The group of companies include MM Kembla, Mueller Industries, Nanotec, Nexans, Revere Copper Products, Superior Essex, Wieland Group, KME, and SDI Lafarga Copperworks and ELVALHALCOR's copper tubes division HALCOR.

Following the completion of the pilot scheme, The Copper Mark aims for a formal expansion in 2023, as well as the adoption of further responsible sourcing practices.

Phase 1 of the pilot scheme runs from October 2021 to March 2022 and is a self-assessment phase for The Copper Mark to understand best practices of fabricators and the existing certification systems, which The Copper Mark then hopes to build on.

The Copper Mark will also use this period to learn about and contribute to training and guidance materials for companies in the fabricators space.

The second phase, which will go from April 2022 until December 2022, will focus on guiding fabricators through The Copper Mark Assurance Process, which will include interested companies drafting a letter of commitment, conducting a self-assessment, and being subject to an independent assessment.

Companies will then need to create improvement plans before their reassessment and awarding of The Copper Mark label.

Companies, particularly those using natural resources, are under continued pressure to improve their sustainability practices as climate change becomes a growing concern. Many companies are announcing their improved sustainability plans ahead of the COP26 global climate meeting later this month.