ISE Certification
The Institut für Seltene Erden und Metalle AG operates in a niche market. We store, inspect, analyze, and evaluate rare earths and metals. As in many niche sectors, there are few consistent standards in this field. For this reason, ISE AG has made it its mission to develop and continuously refine a unified certification system for all rare earths, minor metals, base metals, and isotopes. This certification provides sellers with the confidence of knowing exactly what they are offering. Buyers, banks, and other financial institutions receive clear, precise answers to key questions such as: who, what, how much, where, from where, when, and in what quality. Operating in a small and highly specialized sector, we address individual questions from sellers, buyers, and auditors alike — supported by expert interviews. We integrate this knowledge into our standards to ensure that, in the future, no relevant question remains unanswered.
Inspection
Sample Taking
Analysis
Valuation
Warehouse receipt
Certificate of Ownership
The ISE-Inspection
There are two types of inspections carried out by ISE. If no packing list is provided, a full inspection must be conducted. During a full inspection, every box is opened, and each bottle, spool, bar, etc., is numbered, weighed, and photographed. All data is recorded in a newly created spreadsheet. If the customer already provides a packing list, ISE usually performs a “cross-inspection.” This more cost-effective alternative to a full inspection involves the ISE inspector randomly selecting boxes and units to weigh, then comparing these measurements with the corresponding values on the packing list. Documentation is conducted in the same thorough manner as during a full inspection. The inspection report, depending on the quantity of goods, ranges from 20 to 100 pages and provides detailed information about the internal and external conditions of the packaging and the goods. Each unit is listed along with its corresponding photos and data, offering a reliable overview of the quantity. During the inspection, each unit and box is sequentially numbered and sealed at the end.
The Sample Taking
The Sampling procedure
During sample taking, the following questions are answered: who took the sample, when, where, according to which standard, how, and which sample was taken. The sample taking process and the associated sample taking protocol provide the future owner or the auditor of the goods with certainty that the sample was taken from exactly the same batch stored in the warehouse, for which an inspection report has already been issued. Many goods are packaged specifically and should not be opened by untrained personnel. For example, numerous nanopowders are packaged under inert gas to prevent oxidation due to their extremely large surface area. One of the gases used for packaging is argon. Argon has a density of 1.784 kg/m³,3 which is heavier than air, so it remains in the bottles even when they are opened. However, if the bottles are tilted, the gas escapes and oxidation may begin. Therefore, sample taking should always be performed by a trained inspector. Depending on the quantity of goods, the sample taking protocol ranges from 8 to 36 pages and provides detailed information in images and data about which box and which unit the sample was taken from.
The Analysis
Samples are sent by the ISE inspector via courier to the ISE laboratory. Homogeneous metals are tested by ISE using one of three GD/MS units, soil samples are typically analyzed with XRF and ICP-OES, and non-homogeneous metals and isotopes with ICP-MS. Additionally, there is a scanning electron microscope with a maximum magnification of 25,000x. The laboratories are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, and accreditation according to DIN EN ISO 17025 is currently in preparation. The chemists working for ISE are members of the GDCh and GDMB professional associations. The laboratories regularly participate in proficiency testing rounds organized by renowned institutes.
The Valuation
Since 2011, ISE has been developing its own price databases. There are two databases, now containing over 21,000 prices for various metals and metal products in different qualities and from various delivery locations. One database includes around 900 prices for pure metals, while the second holds approximately 20,000 prices for metal products, updated in real-time. These databases form the basis for all ISE prices. The ISE price databases are publicly accessible online and can be used for a fee.
The metal prices are divided into two databases for good reasons. ISE Database 1 contains rare earths, minor metals, base metals, steel raw materials, stainless steel metals, strip steel, ferroalloys, and refractory metals. All of these are pure metals, whose prices can be linearly scaled according to quantity. ISE Database 2 includes metal products made from all metals, ranging from aluminum to zirconium. These are synthetic products, and therefore their price curves are degressive.
In determining prices, we follow the rules of various exchanges. A general rule of thumb states that a meaningful price can only be derived from the average of at least six price indications within three months. However, the challenge in ultra-narrow markets, such as those for certain metal products, is that six indicators for larger quantities within three months often cannot be found. Therefore, we offer our customers the price of the smallest unit, which is usually a gram, milligram, or meter. These prices cannot be scaled linearly, as the price curve is degressive. If you still require the price for an entire batch, we offer the option to create a customized audit tailored to your specific needs.
ISE valuations are globally accepted (except in Cyprus). With references to inspection, sample taking, analyses, and warehouse receipts, an ISE valuation completes a comprehensive and well-rounded documentation of your goods. ISE responds to verification inquiries regarding the documentation promptly, as the ISE team understands that their clients often work within tight deadlines. Any questions that remain with the recipient are gladly addressed by ISE on behalf of their clients.
The Warehouse receipt
The warehouse receipt, also known as the Safe Keeping Receipt (SKR), certifies your goods, which we store for you in our duty-free warehouse. To clearly identify the goods, the warehouse receipt refers to the inspection report, the sample taking protocol, the analysis(es), and the valuation. The holder of the warehouse receipt does not have to be the same as the owner of the goods (UBO /Ultimate Beneficial Owner). However, the warehouse receipt holder has been appointed by the UBO to complete a sale or a similar transaction involving the goods stored in the warehouse.
The Certificate of Ownership
The Certificate of Ownership is issued by ISE only once — as a hard copy — and serves as the ultimate proof of ownership certifying the UBO. The Certificate of Ownership is only updated by ISE upon the sale of the goods.
