ResponsibleSteel launches new version of International Standard to drive down steel emissions and improve sustainability across the supply chain

The global steel industry employs over 6 million people and contributes around 3.8% to global GDP. Yet it also contributes around 10% to global greenhouse gas emissions from energy and industry according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard Version 2.1, launched today, will play a critical role in driving down global steel emissions and driving up standards across the steel supply chain. Developed in consultation with ResponsibleSteel members and stakeholders from across the steel value chain and civil society, Version 2.1 strengthens ResponsibleSteel’s Progress Level requirements for responsible materials sourcing and climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

As global leaders look for ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change, it’s more important than ever that the steel industry moves to decarbonise and adopt more responsible production practices. Version 2.1 of the Standard provides the steel industry with a technical roadmap to net zero and allows producers to demonstrate tangible progress not only on decarbonisation but across other key environmental and social issues such as biodiversity, water stewardship, pollution, labour rights and more.

Gerry Tidd, Chairman of ResponsibleSteel’s Board of Directors commented, “The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard is the result of extensive development and stakeholder input and has been widely endorsed by highly respected organisations such as the International Energy Agency. We have listened to feedback from across the steel industry, civil society and others and updated the Standard to ensure it is both effective and workable. We are proud to launch Version 2.1 of the industry’s most robust, high-quality standard - one that is built on a foundation of integrity and transparency.”

Steelmaking sites globally are already making progress. ResponsibleSteel has over 80 sites in 19 countries certified against the International Production Standard’s Core requirements. With the revisions incorporated in Version 2.1, steelmakers are now set to pursue the next step on ResponsibleSteel’s certification journey: certified steel.

Steelmakers who meet the revised Progress Level requirements for responsible materials sourcing and decarbonisation will for the first time be able to label and market their products as ResponsibleSteel certified.

“This will give steel buyers – all the architects, automakers, builders and manufacturers - confidence that the steel they are procuring has been produced responsibly following a credible independent assessment,” Mr Tidd said.

Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel stated, “An increasing number of players have opinions about what so-called ‘green steel’ means. The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard provides a clear, credible and consistent way to define it not only by providing a fair and universal benchmarking system for low-emissions steel globally but by charting a roadmap towards responsible steelmaking every step of the way.”

She continued, “We must also remember that truly responsible steelmaking goes beyond mitigating carbon, to other environmental and social impacts, including the rights of the millions of people working in the industry and across the supply chain as well as local communities.”

Now is the time for the steel industry to pick up the pace to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, by meeting the Progress Level requirements of the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard Version 2.1. This way, we will create a universally consistent, credible market for responsible low-emissions steel.

Learn more about the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard V2.1 here.