ArcelorMittal Poland Obtains ResponsibleSteel Certification

ArcelorMittal Poland has become the most recent cluster of sites to receive ResponsibleSteel certification. After a successful audit carried out by ResponsibleSteel accredited auditors from DNV Poland, ArcelorMittal Poland received the certificate which confirms it had fulfilled the criteria required to earn certification against the ResponsibleSteel Standard. The certificate covers sites in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Kraków, Zdzieszowice, Świętochłowice, Sosnowiec, and Chorzów which collectively employ over 9,000 workers and contractors and produce over 3.9 million tonnes of steel annually.

The independent audits are designed to verify that a steel site’s activities meet ResponsibleSteel’s set of rigorously defined requirements, based not only on supplied documentation but also on a number of interviews with internal and external stakeholders. The auditors take into account a broad range of social and environmental criteria split across 12 ESG principles. Social aspects include business integrity, relations with employees and communities, human rights and labour rights. Environmental criteria cover climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, water management, waste and noise emissions and biodiversity. ArcelorMittal Poland currently aims to reduce its GHG emissions by 35% by 2030 in line with ArcelorMittal’s broader European target.

Commenting on the certification, Sanjay Samaddar, chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland stated: “This certificate is a great recognition for us at ArcelorMittal Poland but also a commitment to our stakeholders. Steel is the world’s most widely used material. Our customers in the automotive, construction, energy, infrastructure, packaging, transport and white goods sectors have growing expectations that the materials they work with are produced by sites that respect the highest social and environmental standards. The ResponsibleSteel certificate is proof of responsible management and gives us further motivation for development. Our activities directed towards our employees, communities and sustainable development were recognized, which makes us very proud.”

Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel, said: “We are very proud to announce the certification of ArcelorMittal Poland against the ResponsibleSteel Standard. It is the first cluster of sites to be certified in Eastern Europe and joins several ArcelorMittal sites certified against our Standard.”

She continued: “The audit process revealed ArcelorMittal Poland’s strong corporate governance structures, close relationships with local stakeholders, dedication to employee welfare,  and commitment to responsible environmental practices, notably water management and biodiversity. It is a significant achievement which has taken considerable time and effort and we look forward to continuing to work with ArcelorMittal Poland on their journey to produce more responsible steel.”

To learn more about the certification, read the public audit summary report here.