Overview, mandate and functions
The International Nickel Study Group (INSG) is an autonomous intergovernmental commodity organization established in 1990. The INSG is the only multilateral institution dedicated to issues affecting the nickel production, use and trade. Its activities, projects and publications cover a wide range of topics, focusing on market transparency, market access and sustainable development. Its headquarters are located in Lisbon, Portugal.
Membership is open to all countries involved in the nickel production, use or international trade. Its members currently include Australia, Brazil, Cuba, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Study Group’s prerogative is to promote international cooperation on nickel-related issues and provide a forum in which government consultations on such issues can be held. The Group also works to implement market transparency by providing complete, reliable and up-to-date statistics, as well as special surveys, research and studies.
The INSG is committed to providing its members, as well as industry and the general public, with accurate and timely information on capabilities, production utilization, trade, stock prices, technologies, research development and on other areas that may affect the nickel supply and demand. It also undertakes to conduct consultations and exchanges of information on the international nickel economy, improve nickel statistics, increase market transparency, undertake studies on nickel-related issues and consider particular problems or difficulties that exist or may arise in the international nickel economy. The INSG currently provides a mechanism to assess the balance between supply and demand based on reliable information and the expertise of INSG staff and government and industry advisors. Since 2006 the International Copper Study Group and the International Lead and Zinc Study Group have been sharing headquarters with the INSG in Lisbon.