ResponsibleSteel's 13 Principles

The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard contains 13 Principles covering key environmental, social and governance issues identified and agreed upon by our members. Together, these Principles form the foundation for ResponsibleSteel certification and ensure that certified sites meet globally aligned expectations on responsible production.

1. Corporate Leadership

ResponsibleSteel certified sites are led responsibly.

2. Social, Environmental and Governance Management Systems

ResponsibleSteel certified sites have an effective management system in place to achieve the social, environmental and governance objectives to which they are committed.

3. Responsible Sourcing

ResponsibleSteel certified sites increasingly source input materials from suppliers that are working to improve their environmental, social and governance performance and address ESG risks.

4. Decommissioning and Closure

ResponsibleSteel certified sites minimise the adverse social, economic and environmental impacts of full or partial site decommissioning and closure.

5. Occupational Health and Safety

ResponsibleSteel certified sites protect the health and safety of workers.

6. Labour Rights

ResponsibleSteel certified sites respect the rights of workers and support worker well-being.

7. Human Rights

ResponsibleSteel certified sites respect human rights wherever they operate, irrespective of their size or structure.

8. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

ResponsibleSteel certified sites engage effectively with stakeholders, report openly on issues of importance to stakeholders, and remediate adverse impacts they have caused or contributed to.

9. Local Communities

ResponsibleSteel certified sites respect the rights and interests of local communities, avoid and minimise adverse impact and support community wellbeing.

10. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The corporate owners of ResponsibleSteel certified sites are committed to the global goals of the Paris Agreement, and both certified sites and their corporate owners are taking the actions needed to demonstrate this commitment.

11. Noise, Emissions, Effluents and Waste

ResponsibleSteel certified sites prevent and reduce emissions and effluents that have adverse effects on communities or the environment, manage waste according to the waste management hierarchy and take account of the full life cycle impacts of waste management options.

12. Water Stewardship

ResponsibleSteel certified sites demonstrate good water stewardship.

13. Biodiversity

ResponsibleSteel certified sites protect and conserve biodiversity.