Who we are

We are a global not-for-profit multistakeholder standard and certification initiative. Our mission is to be a driving force in the socially and environmentally responsible production of net-zero steel, globally.

Building a sustainable steel industry requires cooperation and mutual commitment from companies at all levels of the steel supply chain, representatives of civil society, and other stakeholders. We provide the forum for this multi-stakeholder approach. Our members include some of the leading players in the industry working together to minimise the impact of steel manufacturing on people and the planet.

Businesses from every part of the steel value chain, civil society groups, and other organisations are welcome to join.

ResponsibleSteel

Dedicated to maximising steel’s contribution to a sustainable world by: 

01

Supporting the responsible sourcing and production of steel

02

Providing a multi-stakeholder forum to build trust and achieve consensus

03

Developing standards, certification and related tools

04

Driving positive change through the recognition and use of responsible steel

Our work

The ResponsibleSteel International Standard is designed to support the responsible sourcing and production of steel. It covers a range of sustainability issues including emissions, pollution, responsible sourcing, human rights, labour standards, and more.

Through our global standard and certification programme, we will ensure businesses and consumers can be confident that the steel they use has been sourced and produced responsibly at every stage.

Filling the gap

Steel is the world’s most widely used material. Stakeholders and consumers have a growing expectation that the materials they work with are responsibly sourced and produced.

Our certification programme will provide a competitive edge in the market. It will bring benefits to stakeholders and to the industry as a whole, by encouraging those who could operate more responsibly to raise their game.

Steel production has major environmental, social and economic impacts, both positive and negative. Complying with local legal obligations is no longer enough to meet the demands of customers, stakeholders and society on a global scale.

Our International Standard

In discussions with our members and stakeholders alike, these issues have been identified as being key to a responsible steel sector:

  • Corporate Leadership
  • ESG Management Systems
  • Responsible Sourcing of Input Materials
  • Decommissioning and Closure
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Labour Rights
  • Human Rights
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
  • Local Communities
  • Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Noise, Emissions, Effluents and Waste
  • Water Stewardship
  • Biodiversity

Our mandate

To create a universal standard, the actions of ResponsibleSteel are guided by the following principles:

Listen & understand

Recognise the expectations of all stakeholders

Agree & establish

Identify the best standard that works for all

Recognise & reward

Grant certification that standards are met

Enhance & benefit

Provide a clear commercial and reputational advantage

Our work with mines

ResponsibleSteel is working in partnership with IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance), TSM (Towards Sustainable Mining) and RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council) in the mining sector, to develop tools that support alignment of our various programmes and to create a common platform for engaging with stakeholders. This work is possible thanks to a grant from the ISEAL Innovations Fund, which is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.

We also aim to recognise programmes that credibly verify mine site ESG performance so that purchasers can increasingly source iron and steel in a responsible manner.

Committed to multi-stakeholder leadership and shared value, ResponsibleSteel will develop further partnerships whenever this adds value and helps to realise our mission.

Antitrust compliance

ResponsibleSteel has adopted an Antitrust Policy, to ensure that all national and international laws and regulations relating to Antitrust and competition are followed. The current Board adopted the initial Antitrust Policy in February 2016 and Members of the Board will continue to be charged with that responsibility or until a Governance Committee has been created as the organisation grows. The law firm Clayton Utz review and advise on both the Constitution and Antitrust Policy.