ACM: businesses in the metals sector can collaborate in order to make the sector more sustainable

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is positive about a collaboration between businesses in the metals sector. The collaboration is aimed at making the metals sector more sustainable. ACM has informally assessed the collaboration and does not see any objections.

What does the collaboration entail?

Businesses, sector organizations, trade unions, and civil society organizations in the metals sector have made arrangements regarding international responsible business conduct (IRBC). The participants wish to counteract negative effects on humans, animals, and the environment in the entire chain, also outside the Netherlands. The metal companies agree to investigate the risks to humans, animals, and the environment in their own production and supply chain. They will report publicly about this, and will make a plan for tackling the identified risks.

In addition, the metal companies will follow training courses on and will exchange experiences with topics such as freedom of trade association as well as the application of new European sustainability laws such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The companies have also agreed to achieve measurable progress in terms of responsible business conduct. That progress will be evaluated on the basis of criteria laid down in international guidelines and European sustainability laws. The desired progress depends on the size of the business, among other factors.

ACM’s informal guidance

ACM has informally assessed the collaboration in accordance with its Policy Rule ACM oversight on sustainability agreements, and does not see any objections. The participants have agreed to making their own supply chains more sustainable. Each business does so for itself and for its own supply chain. As a result, the arrangements between businesses do not go beyond what is necessary for achieving the sustainability goal. Also, the participants are free to take further sustainable steps if they wish to do so. Businesses do not exchange any competition-sensitive information such as customer data. Furthermore, ACM does not expect any negative effects on (sales) prices or quality.

Collaboration check

Are you a business owner and do you wish to assess whether a collaboration is allowed under the competition rules? Take ACM’s collaboration check (in Dutch). With the collaboration check, businesses can assess anonymously whether or not a collaboration is allowed according to the competition rules.

Are you unsure whether the collaboration is allowed, even after doing the collaboration check and after consulting with a legal advisor? If so, ACM can informally assess your sustainability agreement. ACM takes a quick and summary look, and you can start the collaboration with more reassurance. Do you want to know more? See here: Having your sustainability agreement assessed (in Dutch).

More information about collaborations and sustainability can be found here: Arrangements between businesses regarding sustainability (in Dutch).

See also

• Arrangements between businesses regarding sustainability (in Dutch)
• Having your sustainability agreement assessed (in Dutch)
• ACM’s collaboration check (in Dutch)