Building trust in steel: Understanding the ResponsibleSteel certification process

Steel production is one of the most emissions-intensive industries in the world. As the market shifts toward more sustainable, low-emission practices, steelmakers need a reliable way to demonstrate their performance, while steel buyers and investors need confidence in their investment and procurement decisions.

ResponsibleSteel’s independent, multi-stakeholder standard and certification programme sets the benchmark for responsible steel production worldwide. But how does it work in practice?

1. The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard

Certification is based on the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard, built on 13 Principles covering the full ESG spectrum from decarbonisation, water and biodiversity to labour rights, community engagement, human rights, and more.

This ensures that sustainability in steel is measured holistically, not just by emissions, giving buyers, investors, and other stakeholders a clear view of a steelmaker’s overall ESG performance.

2. Independent, third-party audits

To achieve certification, a steel site undergoes a rigorous audit by trained, independent auditors from one of ResponsibleSteel’s approved certification bodies.

Auditors assess conformity with the Principles, reviewing documentation, interviewing workers and stakeholders, and visiting the site. This ensures the process is robust, credible, and impartial, giving stakeholders full confidence in the results.

3. Major and minor non-conformities

During the process, auditors may identify opportunities for improvement, as well as non-conformities. These can be either major or minor non-conformities.

A minor non-conformity is typically a one-off or minor issue that doesn’t affect the site's capability to meet the overall objective of the relevant criterion or principle. It might be an isolated incident or something with only a limited impact on the site’s ability to operate responsibly. A site can be certified with minor non-conformities but must take steps to amend these non-conformities and demonstrate improvement during future audits.

A major non-conformity, on the other hand, is a serious issue, meaning that a site is not meeting the overall objectives of the Production Standard. This could be a single major incident or a series of smaller problems that demonstrate a systemic issue. A site with a major non-conformity cannot be certified until the issue has been properly addressed. Should a major non-conformity arise after certification, the certificate could be suspended depending on the severity of the issue.

4. Certification decisions

Audit reports are reviewed by the ResponsibleSteel team and/or an independent Assurance Panel to check whether they meet our reporting expectations and that the certification body/auditors followed the procedures outlined in the ResponsibleSteel Assurance manual.

With experience across steel, social and environmental issues, and auditing and certification, the Assurance Panel provides independent oversight. It plays a vital role in ensuring the rigour of certification decisions made by certification bodies.

Once sites are certified, their certificates are publicly listed on ResponsibleSteel’s website alongside a summary of the audit findings, providing transparency for industry stakeholders.

5. Continuous improvement

Certification is not a one-off achievement. Certificates are valid for three years, during which time sites must undergo a surveillance audit and complete the recertification process to maintain their status. Issues and complaints against the site can also be raised by stakeholders in between audits via ResponsibleSteel’s Issues Resolution Process. Depending on the severity of the problem, a special audit may be conducted by auditors.

Confidence for stakeholders

For steel buyers, investors, and other stakeholders, certification provides assurance that a steelmaker is operating at some of the highest standards in the industry across social and environmental issues. Certification helps to:

• Mitigate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks
• Support compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements
• Improve transparency and accountability across the supply chain

Driving progress and future-proofing business

ResponsibleSteel certification is more than a label – it’s a framework to help reduce risk and accelerate change across the value chain. By asking steelmakers about certification, buyers and investors send a clear signal that drives progress towards responsible, low-emission, and near-zero steel.

Learn more about ResponsibleSteel certification here.

Are you a steelmaker? Find out how you can begin the certification journey here.

Are you a steel buyer or investor? Learn more about how Certified Steel can support you here.