Governance and compliance
The licences, standards, and controls behind every Sigma trade — set out openly, so clients and counterparties know exactly how we operate.
Our position
In the precious metals industry, trust is not a differentiator — it is the foundation. Every transaction, every shipment, and every partnership Sigma enters is underpinned by a rigorous governance framework designed to meet the highest international standards.
The sections below cover that framework in full, from licensing and quality standards to ESG and audits.
“Responsible trading is not a compliance burden — it is a competitive advantage that protects our clients, our partners, and the integrity of the markets we operate in.”
Regulatory framework
Sigma Precious Metals FZCO operates under a DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) licence — one of the most respected and stringent commodity trading licences in the world.
The DMCC is the UAE's authority for the commodities trade and anchors Dubai's position as the global hub for precious metals. Our DMCC membership means we are subject to ongoing regulatory oversight, regular audits, and strict reporting requirements that govern every aspect of our trading operations.
Dealings with Sigma are conducted under the regulatory umbrella of the DMCC. This means every transaction we execute is governed by a framework that mandates transparency, audit readiness, and strict ethical trading standards.
It also means Sigma has met the stringent onboarding requirements that the DMCC imposes on all its members, including background checks, capital requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations.
Sigma Precious Metals FZCO
Quality standard
We align our sourcing and trading practices with the UAE Good Delivery Standard — the benchmark for gold quality and provenance within the Dubai market.
Holding to this framework gives counterparties the assurance they need when entering transactions with Sigma.
Financial crime prevention
Precious metals carry a high risk of financial crime, and a trading house is only as credible as the controls it applies to that risk. Ours are described below.
AML/CFT is not just procedural — it reflects a firm-wide commitment to preventing financial crime, led from the top and embedded across all client-facing teams.
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and the requirements of the UAE Central Bank applicable to DNFBPs.
Risk-based screening of all clients and counterparties, with enhanced checks for high-risk profiles
Verified client information, ownership structures, and transaction purpose, reviewed regularly.
Ongoing AML/CFT training for all relevant staff
Identification and reporting of suspicious activity in line with UAE requirements.
Screening against international sanctions lists (UN, EU, OFAC, UAE) at onboarding and continuously thereafter to detect changes and ensure ongoing compliance.
“Sigma takes its AML/CFT obligations with the utmost seriousness. Our programme is comprehensive, regularly updated, and integrated into every client interaction and transaction — from the very first point of contact.”
Provenance
Trust in the precious metals trade depends on being able to answer one fundamental question: where did this metal come from?
Sigma answers it with a documented chain of custody for all physical bullion, kept from the point of purchase through to final delivery.
Sigma does not trade with suppliers who cannot provide verifiable documentation of their own sourcing practices. This is a condition of doing business with us — not an aspiration. Where the risk profile of a supplier warrants deeper scrutiny, we will commission independent audits at our own initiative.
Sustainability
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles are woven into our business model rather than appended as an afterthought.
At Sigma, ESG is not a marketing commitment — it is a set of operational requirements that govern how we select suppliers, structure transactions, and manage our own internal affairs. Each of the three pillars carries specific obligations that our team is accountable for delivering.
ESG integration is one of the reasons our institutional and sovereign clients can trade with Sigma with confidence. They know that our supply chains have been evaluated not just for commercial terms, but for the environmental and social practices of the producers we work with.
Environmental
We prioritise supply relationships with producers who adopt responsible mining and land rehabilitation practices. Environmental impact assessments form part of our supplier evaluation process, and we actively seek producers whose operations demonstrate a commitment to minimising environmental harm.
Social
We are committed to supply chains that do not exploit artisanal and small-scale miners and that respect the rights of communities in producing regions. Our supplier standards explicitly prohibit engagement with producers whose operations involve forced labour, child labour, or systematic community displacement.
Governance
Sigma maintains clear segregation of duties, independent oversight of high-value transactions, and a zero-tolerance policy on facilitation payments or corrupt practices in any jurisdiction. These governance standards apply to our own operations and are expected of the counterparties we work with.
Internal controls
Our General Manager oversees the day-to-day application of all compliance policies.
Any material compliance breach is escalated to the Director level and, where required, to the relevant regulatory authority without delay. This escalation pathway is documented, tested, and reviewed on a regular schedule.
Key controls include
High-value transactions require four-level authorisation before execution — preventing unilateral decisions on material trades.
Mandatory documentation checklists for every deal ensure no transaction proceeds without the required compliance paperwork in place.
Compliance reports independently of the trading desk — ensuring that commercial pressure does not override regulatory obligations.
Scheduled internal reviews test whether policies are being followed in practice — not just whether policies exist on paper.
Our governance framework exists to give our clients certainty — certainty about the metal they are buying, the partner they are dealing with, and the standards that govern every transaction.
