We’re shaping a more ResponsibleSteel industry.

The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard sets the benchmark for steel sustainability, supporting our mission to be a driving force in the production of responsibly produced steel. At least every five years, ResponsibleSteel reviews the Production Standard to determine whether revision is needed, ensuring it remains relevant and fit for purpose in a changing industry.

We kicked off the review process in October 2024 with a public consultation calling for feedback on the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard V2.1.1, and, following approval from the ResponsibleSteel Board of Directors, the Secretariat commenced the revision process earlier this year.

Over the course of 2025, the Secretariat conducted topical research and collected background data and information to inform the revision. Through reference group calls, one-on-one meetings, and various other platforms, we engaged with different stakeholder groups to prioritise the topics for revision. This formed the basis for the development of terms of reference for the inclusion of topics in the scope of the standard revision across 2025 and 2026.

Since September, the working groups (WG) and technical advisory groups (TAG) have been continuously meeting to discuss the various topics for revision.

Update on revisions to Principle 10: Climate Change and GHG emissions

One of the topics in Principle 10 (P10) is related to climate transition plans on a corporate and site-level, inclusive of the emission reduction targets, decarbonisation strategy, risk & opportunities assessment, and GHG data for disclosure. 15 members were active in the WG with an almost equal distribution of business and civil society members. As stakeholder engagement continues to finalise the proposal, some of the outcomes with support so far include removing temperature alignment and instead focusing on net zero by 2050 as the long-term corporate-level ambition; adding/modifying definitions of key terminology such as near-term, long-term and portfolio of sites to the glossary and guidance material; and revising the structure of P10 to clarify the requirements.

An upcoming priority revision topic in P10 will be regarding the harmonisation of criteria 10.3 and 10.4 for the measurement of GHG emissions at the site. The intention is to increase the utilisation of ResponsibleSteel’s comprehensive crude steel emissions accounting methodology, thereby driving more transparent and comparable GHG data disclosure across Core Site Certification. In addition to reviewing the harmonisation criteria for steelmakers, the scope of review will especially include considerations for value chain members operating upstream or downstream of the steelmaking site, as well as the review of Annex 5’s default embodied GHG values for imported materials and fuels.

The last P10-related topic is related to high-alloy and stainless steels. Currently, the ResponsibleSteel Decarbonisation Progress Levels (DPLs) account for carbon steels (with <8% alloy inputs). To enable Steel Certification for high alloy and stainless steels, we are in the process of developing specific DPLs for this sub-sector of the steel industry. ResponsibleSteel and SMR Group (Steel & Metals Market Research) have partnered on the development of a stainless steel GHG emissions model at mill level. Recently, the stainless steel emissions model architecture was presented by SMR to the WG for their feedback.

Now, with further robust data and assumptions underpinning the model, it will cover over 80% of global stainless steel production. Subject to funding, next steps include a dynamic material flow analysis assessment and mapping of near-zero stainless steel emissions potential, which will feed into the development of the emissions thresholds.

Update on revisions to social topics: Labour rights and Just Transition

The key areas of focus for Principle 6: Labour Rights relate to the annual leave requirement and policy requirements. The revision was triggered by a stakeholder request to change the Production Standard, followed by further discussion as part of a working group in 2024. Currently, the TAG is discussing the working group’s previous recommendation, evaluating a proposed approach and next steps.

On Just Transition, the working group has been discussing and sharing views on how the concepts should be incorporated into the revision of the Production Standard. These discussions will continue into 2026. The Secretariat is in the process of planning additional meetings in 2026 and is seeking additional members to join the WG to ensure broad perspectives and improved representation.

Get involved

If you are interested in adding your voice to the standard revision in relation to any of the aforementioned topics, or beyond, please get in touch with us here.

Visit our new webpage to find out more about the revision process

We’re also pleased to launch our new webpage for the revision of the Production Standard, where you can now find all information relating to the revision timeline, working groups, topics under revision, and how to get involved.

Visit the Standard Revision webpage here.

As India’s steel industry navigates the twin imperatives of growth and sustainability, ResponsibleSteel hosted a policy convening in Delhi earlier this year to explore pathways for steel decarbonisation in India.

Held under the theme “Decarbonisation of India’s steel sector: Dynamics of the energy transition and the role of standards,” the event brought together leaders from government, industry, and civil society to discuss how credible standards, collaboration, and innovation can accelerate India’s transition to low-emission steel. Participants included Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Tata Motors, the Indian Steel Association, WWF, Climate Group, and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, as well as representatives from the Hydrogen Mission India, the Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The convening was opened by the Hon’ble Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, whose keynote address framed the energy transition as both an environmental necessity and a moral responsibility. Reaffirming India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, he described the transition as “a gift we must leave behind—a legacy of ethical industry.”

He encouraged India’s industry to lead through innovation, highlighting green hydrogen as the cornerstone of the transformation and urging investment in carbon capture, smart furnaces, and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI).

Industry perspectives: Progress and challenges

Senior industry leaders shared insights on their progress, highlighting several areas of development:

• Hydrogen-based pilots are underway with positive results, marking a shift in the future of steel production in India.
• There is increasing integration of renewable energy into steel operations, particularly solar and wind, enabling greater energy autonomy.
• A growing focus on circularity and scrap-based production is emerging to reduce lifecycle emissions.

At the same time, industry participants acknowledged significant barriers to the transition, above all, the high cost of green hydrogen, limited access to clean energy, land availability and grid challenges, and gaps in hydrogen infrastructure.

Policy, incentives, and the role of standards

Discussions also touched upon a clear, globally aligned national framework to support policy, finance, and trade. Shivakumar K., ResponsibleSteel’s Director of Development and Innovation, emphasised the role standards can play as strategic tools that build trust, guide policy and investment, and support industry transformation. By adopting, integrating, or aligning with international standards, national policy frameworks can demonstrate leadership and maintain competitiveness in the global market.

Clear priorities emerged in the discussions, including the need to:

• Ensure interoperability between India’s taxonomy and international standards and policy mechanisms to support trade and global compliance.
• Establish robust certification frameworks to build investor confidence.
• Embed standards within policy narratives linking industry decarbonisation with employment, equity, and regional development.

The convening also discussed policy incentives to accelerate the transition, with representatives from MNRE highlighting ongoing initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which plans to allocate ₹19,744 crore (around $2.2 million) to produce five million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

However, participants stressed that more targeted support is needed, such as tax credits to encourage early adoption of low-carbon technologies.

Toward a responsible, low-emission future

The Delhi convening reaffirmed the growing momentum behind India’s steel transition. It also underscored the essential role of international standards in shaping national policy frameworks and unlocking sustainable finance.

ResponsibleSteel’s engagement with industry stakeholders in India will continue to build on the momentum created in Delhi, laying the groundwork for a responsible, near-zero industry, built on cross-border collaboration.

Learn more about the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard.

The steel industry is experiencing a significant transformation, with human rights increasingly recognised as a key aspect of that change. International Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of why this is so important. It commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This sets out a broad range of fundamental rights, protections and freedoms to which all of us are entitled, regardless of nationality, place of residence, gender or any other status.

According to the latest report by the OECD, the steel industry employs more than six million individuals worldwide. It’s a key pillar of the global economy and a major source of jobs. However, from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing of finished steel products, every step of the steelmaking process can pose significant risks to human rights. These risks can arise from unsafe labour conditions, the displacement of Indigenous communities, or environmental degradation that affects local populations. Ensuring steel is produced responsibly, with care and consideration for workers and local stakeholders, requires rigorous and multifaceted mitigation measures to minimise these risks.

That’s why ResponsibleSteel’s International Production Standard incorporates vital requirements to help safeguard workers, communities, and local ecosystems and foster a culture of safety and respect across the supply chain. Already, around nearly 90 sites have achieved ResponsibleSteel Core Site Certification, which assesses steelmakers against more than 300 core requirements. These span key social and environmental aspects of steelmaking, including human rights, health and safety, labour rights, and impacts on local communities. Sites undergo a robust, independent audit process involving documentation review, on-site visits, and extensive engagement with workers and local stakeholders. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise – achieving certification demonstrates a clear commitment to upholding the full scope of ESG responsibilities.

The Human Rights Principle is central to our International Production Standard because it is a fundamental component to building an industry that is sustainable, safe and grounded in respect. Together, the 13 Principles embedded in our Production Standard ensure that the safety of workers, the wider community and the environment is prioritised at every stage of steel production.

This Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that the steel industry must consider and support the people who power it, and without strong frameworks in place to do so, there can be no true social or environmental progress.