We’re shaping a more responsible steel industry.
We have the opportunity to do things differently
ResponsibleSteel is a global, not-for-profit organisation created to maximise steel’s contribution to a sustainable world. Working collaboratively with our members, we have developed an independent standard and certification programme for steel via a process that aims to align with the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice. Together, we are setting the global standard for responsibly produced net-zero steel.
We’re at a pivotal moment in the steel industry
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the steelmaking process, from the extraction of raw materials to the production of steel, accounts for 10% of global GHG emissions. We face a collective challenge to transform the industry, reducing global emissions while ensuring a just transition for workers and local communities.
We have over 150 members working to deliver on our mission to drive responsible steel production.
According to the IEA, we need to reduce steel industry emissions by at least 50% by 2050.
We have over 70 ResponsibleSteel certified sites globally, producing over 120 million tonnes of steel annually.
Over 220,000 workers are covered by ResponsibleSteel site certification.
40% of ResponsibleSteel certified sites producing crude steel use EAFs.
This is the future of steel
Our members are at the heart of our work
ResponsibleSteel’s membership consists of representatives from across the steel value chain, including businesses, NGOs, trade associations, and other organisations with an interest in our mission. This means our standards are uniquely shaped by multiple perspectives, and their adoption requires the support of both business and civil society members. We encourage organisations globally to join us to create lasting impact for people and the planet.
Certified sites
across the world
Latest news & events
March 2024 Newsletter
Please view the March 2024 newsletter by clicking the link below:
What’s coming up for ResponsibleSteel?
We have some exciting developments on the horizon which we’re keen to share with our members and stakeholders. Here are a few key moments to look out for in the next six months.
Standards Development
Public Consultations
Two important public consultations started in mid-March – one on Principle 3 (responsible sourcing) of the International Standard, and one on a new draft Downstream Chain of Custody Standard. Learn more about the consultations here or visit our Standards Development page to submit your feedback.
Members and wider stakeholders can also join a webinar on 26 March to find out more about the consultations. Register here.
International Standard V2.1
We’re busy working to produce Version 2.1 of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard by mid-May. This will provide the green light for steelmakers in the race to achieve the first ResponsibleSteel Certified Steel – and for downstream businesses to line up to procure Certified Steel products.
Upcoming Publications
Progress Report
ResponsibleSteel and its members have come a long way since its inception. In Q2, we will publish our first annual Progress Report using data on the scale and the impacts of certification to show progress towards our mission.
Certification Pathway to Net Zero by 2050
Later in Q2 we’re aiming to publish our analysis on the extent of transition progress required over time for the steel sector to fulfil its Paris Agreement obligations. Not another trajectory, but a demonstration of net zero pathways through a new lens – that of the four ResponsibleSteel Progress Levels.
Upcoming Events
ResponsibleSteel will be participating in the SteelZero events in Washington D.C. on 24 April, Seoul on 21 May, and Brussels on 19 June, and we are looking at how to maximise value for our members during these events – more details to come shortly.
The ResponsibleSteel AGM will be held online on 22 May.
We will be participating in and running many more events during the year, and will publicise these as soon as more details are confirmed. In particular, we will also be engaging with stakeholders in India, Japan and Korea throughout the year to deepen our presence within these important markets.
Webinar Series
We will be offering members a set of ‘Meet the Expert’ webinars covering topics such as just transition, biodiversity, targets, downstream demand and much more. If you have a suggestion for a topic that you would like us to cover, please contact our new Head of Membership and Communications, Joe Woodruff.
ResponsibleSteel Groups
Members can also get involved with one of our groups:
Steelmakers Reference Group
The Steelmakers Reference Group is an opportunity for member steelmakers to engage in technical discussions around the Standards and Assurance Programme. Contact Rodrigo de Prospero, our Head of Standards and Assurance, for more information.
Civil Society Reference Group
The Civil Society Reference Group provides a forum to share ResponsibleSteel’s latest plans with civil society members and to seek their engagement, input and feedback. Contact Shiv Kumar, our Development and Innovation Director, for more information.
Finance Working Group
An opportunity for the finance sector and steel industry to come together to discuss how to effectively use the ResponsibleSteel Standard as a verification tool to raise capital to accelerate steel decarbonisation. Contact Shiv Kumar, our Development and Innovation Director, for more information.
Find out more
If you have any questions about the above, or suggestions for events, publications or webinars, please do get in contact with our new Head of Membership and Communications, Joe Woodruff.
ResponsibleSteel Launches Public Consultations on New Downstream Chain of Custody Standard and Revised Responsible Sourcing Requirements
Today, ResponsibleSteel has launched two public consultations as part of our ongoing standards development work. We are inviting feedback on a draft of a new downstream chain of custody standard, as well as revisions to the ResponsibleSteel International Standard’s Principle 3: Responsible Sourcing of Input Materials.
Downstream Chain of Custody Standard
Developing a downstream chain of custody standard is crucial to building demand for ResponsibleSteel certified steel. This initial draft has been developed following extensive discussions with our downstream claims and chain of custody member working group between December 2022 and July 2023. The working group concluded with two recommendations:
- ResponsibleSteel should provide a downstream chain of custody standard based on physical traceability with full segregation (i.e. all ResponsibleSteel-certified steel products would be made with 100% certified steel).
- The downstream chain of custody standard would be accompanied by a complementary ‘Book & Claim’ system that would create value for ResponsibleSteel certified steelmakers and downstream steel users, based on claims that do not require the physical tracking of ResponsibleSteel certified steel through the supply chain. This will be developed in future following additional research and consultation with members and stakeholders.
Acting on the first of these recommendations, ResponsibleSteel has drafted a downstream chain of custody standard based on physical traceability with full segregation which we are now inviting stakeholders to share their feedback on. This 60-day public consultation is open from March 15th to May 14th. A second public consultation will be held later this year.
Get involved: If you would like to give feedback on the first draft of ResponsibleSteel’s Downstream Chain of Custody Standard, please visit our Standards Development page. Submissions will be open until May 14th, 2024, 23:59 GMT.
Additionally, ResponsibleSteel will be pilot-testing the downstream chain of custody standard to test its in-practice applicability. If your organisation is interested in carrying out a pilot test at one or more of your sites, please contact us at standards@responsiblesteel.org.
Principle 3: Responsible Sourcing of Input Materials
In September 2022, we launched the ResponsibleSteel International Standard V2.0. In addition to the core requirements steelmaking sites can be audited against, Version 2.0 introduced additional progress-level requirements for the responsible sourcing of input materials (Principle 3) and climate change and greenhouse gas emissions (Principle 10).
During the 12-month test phase of Version 2.0, ResponsibleSteel received requests for revisions to Principle 3. Some of these requests would involve significant changes to the requirements and throughout January and February 2024, a member working group was convened to understand the issues, provide ideas, and test and improve proposals for revision. The working group brought together civil society, steelmaking and mining companies as well as traders and other member organisations. The presentations and discussion notes of these working group meetings can be found here.
The proposed revisions to Principle 3 are open for public consultation for 30 days and include the introduction of an on-ramp transitional period into the specification of the materials sourcing Progress Level 1 in criteria 3.2 and 3.4, as well as some proposed corresponding changes to guidance and annexes to the requirements.
Following the consultation, ResponsibleSteel will review any feedback before seeking approval for an urgent revision to Principle 3 from the ResponsibleSteel Board following the Urgent Revision Mechanisms specified in our International Standards Development Procedures. Final revisions will be incorporated in Version 2.1 of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard later this year.
Get involved: If you would like to give feedback on the revisions to the ResponsibleSteel International Standard’s Principle 3: Responsible Sourcing of Input Materials, please visit our Standards Development page. Submissions will be open until April 14th 2024 23:59 GMT.
Find Out More
Join us on Tuesday 26 March, 12:00-14:00 (GMT) for a member and stakeholder webinar to find out more about the consultations. Register here.
If you have any questions regarding either of these public consultations, please contact the ResponsibleSteel Secretariat at standards@responsiblesteel.org.