Q: What role does Metalshub play in price assessment?

Metalshub acts strictly as a neutral data provider . Metalshub does not assess prices, project forward-looking price signals, or replace PRAs . Instead, it captures verified, timestamped commercial activity and provides structured data feeds to PRAs, who then apply their independent editorial judgement and IOSCO-compliant methodologies to assess indices .

Q: Is participation in data sharing mandatory?

No . Participation is 100% voluntary . Marketplace users retain total control over whether their transactional data is included and can opt-out at any point directly within the platform interface .

Q: How does the consent model work?

The initiative uses a one-party consent model . If at least one party in a negotiation agrees to share data, that anonymised data point becomes eligible for inclusion . This reflects standard market practice, where individual counterparties already choose to report bilateral transactions to PRAs independently .

Q: Can competitors or PRAs trace data back to my company?

No . Absolute confidentiality is the central priority of the framework . Before any data reaches a PRA, it is fully aggregated and anonymised . No company names, counterparty identities, or exact delivery locations are ever disclosed .

Q: How is data delivered to participating PRAs?

Once eligible, data does not flow instantaneously . It is transmitted to participating PRAs via a secure API at controlled intervals .

Question 1

What is the Metalshub PRA Data Sharing Initiative?

Accepted Answer

Metalshub has established a collaborative framework that allows digital marketplace users to share anonymised, structured negotiation and transaction data directly with leading Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs). By replacing manual, phone-based price reporting with verified digital transactions, the initiative aims to improve the accuracy, transparency, and reliability of global commodity price benchmarks.

Question 2

Why is traditional price reporting no longer sufficient?

Accepted Answer

Historically, price indices have relied on a patchwork of phone calls, sporadic disclosures, and journalistic outreach. This traditional approach leaves less liquid materials underrepresented and introduces inconsistency. In opaque markets, indices can be vulnerable to distortion by a small number of participants even though long-term contracts across the industry are pegged to these very benchmarks.

Question 3

What role does Metalshub play in price assessment?

Accepted Answer

Metalshub acts strictly as a neutral data provider. Metalshub does not assess prices, project forward-looking price signals, or replace PRAs. Instead, it captures verified, timestamped commercial activity and provides structured data feeds to PRAs, who then apply their independent editorial judgement and IOSCO-compliant methodologies to assess indices.

Question 4

Is participation in data sharing mandatory?

Accepted Answer

No. Participation is 100% voluntary. Marketplace users retain total control over whether their transactional data is included and can opt-out at any point directly within the platform interface.

Question 5

How does the consent model work?

Accepted Answer

The initiative uses a one-party consent model. If at least one party in a negotiation agrees to share data, that anonymised data point becomes eligible for inclusion. This reflects standard market practice, where individual counterparties already choose to report bilateral transactions to PRAs independently.

Question 6

How do I opt-out of sharing specific transactions?

Accepted Answer

Opt-out controls are embedded directly into the Metalshub negotiation screen. When viewing an active enquiry or submitting a bid, offer, or counter-proposal, users are presented with a clear data-sharing preference status and can toggle an opt-out for any individual proposal.

Question 7

Can competitors or PRAs trace data back to my company?

Accepted Answer

No. Absolute confidentiality is the central priority of the framework. Before any data reaches a PRA, it is fully aggregated and anonymised. No company names, counterparty identities, or exact delivery locations are ever disclosed.

Question 8

What specific data points are shared with PRAs?

Accepted Answer

When consent is given, eligible proposal-level data points include (1) Material Details: Product category, material composition, origin country (if available), and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF, if available), (2) Commercial Terms Quantity, pricing terms (fixed, indexed, or formula-based), price level (absolute or premium/discount), payment terms, and Incoterm and (3) Logistics & Timing: Delivery country (never specific delivery address/facility) and negotiation timestamp.

Question 9

How does Metalshub prevent active negotiations from being exposed?

Accepted Answer

Data is never shared in real time while negotiations are active. Sharing occurs only after a deliberate time delay calibrated to the lifecycle of the enquiry, ensuring live commercial discussions are protected.

Question 10

How is data delivered to participating PRAs?

Accepted Answer

Once eligible, data does not flow instantaneously. It is transmitted to participating PRAs via a secure API at controlled intervals.

Question 11

Is this data-sharing framework compliant with EU and German competition law?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The framework was independently assessed by legal counsel and complies with EU and German competition laws. Anti-competitive information exchange is prevented because (1) data is anonymised and aggregated, preventing reverse engineering, (2) no forward-looking pricing signals or future intentions are shared and (3) data flows to independent PRAs, not directly between competing market participants.

Question 12

How does this align with IOSCO Principles for PRAs?

Accepted Answer

The process supports the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Price Reporting Agencies. It enhances data integrity and verifiability by supplying bona fide, auditable market activity while preserving the complete editorial independence of participating PRAs.

Question 13

Which PRAs are involved in the initiative?

Accepted Answer

Users can view an up-to-date list of active data recipients directly inside the platform or on our partner webpage.

Upgrading Price Indices with Real Market Data.Upgrading Price Indices with Real Market Data.

We are pioneering a new era of price indices, moving from phone-call estimates to global raw material benchmarks anchored in verified, anonymised market reality with zero compromise on confidentiality.

How it Works in PracticeHow it Works in Practice

Opt-in or -out

Anonymisation & Aggregation

Time Delay

Secure Transmission

Everything at a GlanceEverything at a Glance

Real Market Activity

Full User Control

Strict Confidentiality

Deliberate Data Delays

Zero Added Burden

Highest Compliance Standards

Unbiased Independence

Broad Market Coverage

Strategic Transparency

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions