We’re shaping  a more responsible steel industry.

SIJ Group (Slovenian Steel Group) has achieved ResponsibleSteel certification for its SIJ Acroni and SIJ Metal Ravne sites, placing Slovenia on the global map of responsible steel production.

SIJ is a leading producer of stainless steel and special steels in Europe and is one of Slovenia’s leading exporters. The sites cover two steel mills, both operating Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs), as well as hot and cold rolling mills, and a forging shop.

“SIJ has long made efforts to be at the forefront of sustainable practice in the industry. SIJ’s first EAF opened in the 1960s, and today around 78% of its steel input is scrap. But sustainability must go beyond circularity, and beyond decarbonisation. Most recently as part of the certification audit process, SIJ has made real strides to meet ResponsibleSteel International Standard’s social and governance criteria, committing to strengthening and improving the protection of worker’s rights and health and safety systems,” said Annie Heaton, CEO, ResponsibleSteel.

SIJ is one of the largest employers in Slovenia and collectively, the newly certified sites employ over 2,600 workers. Since 2007, SIJ has invested over 800 million euros in new technology, aimed at streamlining processes, improving working conditions, and mitigating environmental impacts. The company has set a target of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030 against a 2020 baseline and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. The group has also set targets in the field of occupational health and safety. By 2026, SIJ aims to have six sites operating in accordance with ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.

Andrey Zubitskiy, President of the Management Board for SIJ commented, “Obtaining ResponsibleSteel certification represents a new sustainability milestone in the history of SIJ Group, following our transition to steel production based on circular economy principles four decades ago. We are now part of a select group of steelmaking companies worldwide that are setting standards for sustainable practices in our industry. It reflects our commitment to our employees, the community and the environment in which we operate.”

He continued, “Steel is the most widely used material in the world. With our products, we are a reliable partner for automotive, mechanical engineering, infrastructure, construction, power generation and other industries that require the assurance that the materials they use have been obtained through sourcing and production processes based on responsible practice. The goal of ResponsibleSteel is to satisfy such requirements with a management approach that combines economic development, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and transparent governance, in order to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future for people and the planet.”

However, certification isn’t the end of the journey. ResponsibleSteel certificates are valid for three years. Around 12 to 18 months in, the sites will undergo a surveillance audit by the contracted certification body, AFNOR, which will involve additional stakeholder interviews and a review of the sites’ progress on any minor non-conformities that were identified in the initial audit.

As said by Dr Tadeja Primožič Merkač, Director of Quality, Sustainability and Corporate Management, SIJ Group. “While sustainability has always been an important topic for us, ResponsibleSteel has taught us to take a more management systems-based approach and has helped us improve our understanding of the importance of even better working conditions for employees and a culture of health and safety at work. Today, we are proud of our achievement, but we are aware that the path of sustainable development is a continuous process of learning and improvement, which we will demonstrate every year and a half through recertification.”

To find out more details on this certification, please read the audit summary here.

Please view the March 2024 newsletter by clicking the link below:

Click here.

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.