The new Standard provides a framework for tracing silicon (or other semiconducting materials) throughout the solar supply chain. Independent auditors will use the Standard to assess the traceability of key materials used in solar production sites. Successful assessments will lead to a certification award.
The SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard covers the entire solar value chain, from quartzite mining to solar module production, with the objective to enable an unbroken Chain of Custody that tracks the journey of materials at every stage and guarantees that certified materials remain distinct from non-certified ones, reinforcing the integrity of solar products.
Pilot assessments conducted in 14 sites
The standard was developed following a public multi-stakeholder consultation involving over 20 organisations, including civil society and industry experts, provided valuable feedback. This inclusive approach ensures the standard is both rigorous and practical, addressing real-world challenges in supply chain traceability.
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Additionally, the Standard was tested through extensive pilot assessments conducted in 14 sites across various supply chain segments, including from modules to polysilicon. These pilot assessments were led by qualified auditors of the SSI Secretariat and evaluated the feasibility of the standard within industrial-scale environments, offering critical insights to refine its requirements.
The public consultation and pilot assessments enabled key updates to the final Standard, including enhanced clarification on technical due diligence requirements for traders and approved suppliers. The final Standard also makes clear that site certification remains impossible in regions inaccessible to unsupervised assessment. Additionally, the final standard offers clearer guidance to ensure that management systems are adequately resourced to effectively implement traceability requirements.
The SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard complements the SSI ESG Standard by adding a layer of assurance for material sourcing. Together, these standards provide a robust framework for certifying both the environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices of solar production sites as well as the traceability of the materials they use across the value chain, enabling the creation of a fully ESG-certified Chain of Custody.
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Alexia Ruvoletto, Head of the SSI Secretariat, commented: “The SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard sets a new bar for end-to-end supply chain accountability in the solar sector. By establishing a clear, verifiable chain of custody for materials, it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable and ethical solar industry. With this new standard, the SSI empowers solar companies to take their transparency efforts to the next level, ensuring that the materials powering the clean energy transition meet the highest standards of integrity. This is about building confidence across the board, from regulators and policymakers to end consumers, while reinforcing solar’s role as a leader in sustainable energy.”
Next steps and implementation
The Standard is designed to support businesses in meeting regulatory requirements, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and supporting the effective implementation of the EU Forced Labour Ban Regulation. The SSI is monitoring the legislative process of these key laws to make sure the SSI standards are aligned with legal requirements. Certification against the SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard will begin in 2025, with continuous improvement targets for supply chain penetration and market coverage to be set for the following years.
The Solar Stewardship Initiative has 48 members currently, among them 12 PV manufacturers, including two of Europe: Astronergy, Canadian Solar, DMEGC Solar, Futura Sun, JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Longi, Recom, Risen, Solarwatt, Trina Solar, Viridian Solar.
Also see: Solar supply chain ESG standard published
The SSI was set in motion by SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK in March 2021, as part of a workstream established in 2015 to promote sustainable production in the solar value chain. With the backing over 30 solar organisations at its inception, the SSI is the only holistic sustainable supply chain solution with the support of a majority market share of the solar PV industry. The SSI also enjoys the endorsement of the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). (hcn)
