March 19, 2025
The need to certify responsible business practices continues to grow. UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science and sustainability, offers ECOLOGO® Certification for mineral exploration across Canada, a first-of-its-kind service that provides third-party certification of environmental, social and economic practices.
To stay competitive in today’s global marketplace, companies are addressing the demands for environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements from investors, stakeholders, regulators and consumers. Sustainability experts at UL Solutions have witnessed these demands in many industries, including mineral exploration in Canada.
Mineral exploration is an industry that includes numerous activities, such as the acquisition of mineral rights, sampling, testing and ground surveys.
According to data from the government of Canada, dozens of minerals and metals produced by Canada’s mining industry are used in goods that consumers rely on in their daily lives and in “advanced technologies that will enable the transition to a low-carbon economy,” such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries and solar cells.
Mineral exploration companies in Canada can pursue certification to ULC TS-2723:2024, the ECOLOGO® Certification Program for Responsible Development for the Mineral Exploration Industry.
“The ECOLOGO® program helps mineral exploration companies powerfully convey their commitment to protecting the environment and human health,” said David Lefebvre, regional director for UL Solutions in Canada. “We are proud to offer third-party certification for a variety of responsible mineral exploration practices.”
For mineral exploration companies and their service providers, achieving ECOLOGO® Certification involves a careful evaluation of numerous factors, such as occupational health and safety, legal requirements, sustainable design principles, environmental impact, quality of life requirements, local procurement, fair and ethical business practices, transparency and reporting, and efficient use of financial resources.
Addressing environmental concerns is a cornerstone of the ECOLOGO® program. Achieving certification involves a close, scientific evaluation of water quality, soil quality, the impact on wildlife habitat and the efficient use of natural resources.
Additionally, achieving ECOLOGO® Certification involves recognizing and accommodating issues that can affect local communities. Factors include the health and safety of people and animals, noise levels, visual impacts, the concerns of indigenous communities and recognition of cultural heritage initiatives.
Achieving certification also addresses the hiring of local labor and the selection of local and indigenous service providers.
Driven by market demand, in 2012, the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) sought to implement a standard to evaluate responsible business practices for the mineral exploration industry. The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) created the standard to promote the application of the best environmental, social and economic practices of the industry. UL Solutions adopted that consensus standard to launch the ECOLOGO® Certification program.
After a successful introduction in 2019 in Quebec, the program became available throughout Canada in 2024. According to QMEA, as of Feb. 1, 2025, more than 25 companies were certified for ECOLOGO® mineral exploration.
This certification program utilizes a process that includes a thorough documentation review and potentially on-site visits.
The program’s auditing process can provide visibility into a company’s own operations and those of its suppliers, helping to identify potential challenges. Certified companies may receive additional benefits, including marketplace preference, green investment dollars and potential tax reductions.
To learn more about how UL Solutions helps companies measure, demonstrate and communicate responsible mineral exploration practices, visit the ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration program web page.
UL Solutions offers numerous other sustainability and environmental services to help companies mitigate risk and earn trust among stakeholders.