Standards development

Ensuring relevant, credible and effective standards

We are continuously working to improve ResponsibleSteel standards to ensure we effectively drive responsible production practices. The ResponsibleSteel International Standard is reviewed periodically in five year intervals, and the Standard's Principles may also be reviewed, revised, and updated from time to time.

The timeline

See the full development timeline of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard from its inception in 2017 to today.

December 2023-January 2024

Public consultation on revisions to the GHG emissions progress level requirements and on provisional interpretations to V2.0.

September 2022-September 2023

12 month test phase conducted on elements of the additional requirements for the sourcing of input materials and GHG emissions.

September 2022

The ResponsibleSteel International Standard V2.0 is launched to incorporate the additional requirements on GHG emissions and the sourcing of input materials.

July-August 2022

Board review and formal membership vote on the new responsible sourcing and GHG emissions requirements.

June 2021

The ResponsibleSteel Standard V1.1 published (without responsible sourcing and GHG additions) to incorporate interpretations and an urgent revision to V1.0 .

June 2021-June 2022

Collation and review of stakeholder feedback and finalisation of responsible sourcing and GHG requirements.

April-May 2021

Public consultation on revised responsible sourcing and GHG requirements.

August-October 2020

Draft sourcing and GHG requirements developed and public stakeholder consultation held.

January-July 2020

Working groups for responsible sourcing, GHG emissions and steel product claims convened and draft requirements discussed.

November 2019

Fifth draft approved by a majority of business and civil society members and published as the ResponsibleSteel Standard V1.0.

August-October 2019

Member review of fifth draft before being submitted to ResponsibleSteel’s membership for formal voting.

June-July 2019

ResponsibleSteel Member Meeting review of fourth draft followed by open stakeholder review.

February-April 2019

Public consultation held on a third draft and field testing by members completed with the support of DNV-GL.

June-August 2018

Public consultation held on a more comprehensive second draft specifying 10 principles.

February 2017

The first ‘straw man’ ResponsibleSteel draft Standard is published, containing high-level principles and criteria.

Download our Standards Development Procedures

Our International Standards Development Procedures have been developed to meet the requirements of the ISEAL Standard Setting Code and outline the scope and objectives of the International Standard, how decisions on the Standard are made, and how we undergo Standard revisions.

Upcoming and ongoing standards development

Public consultation on draft Downstream Chain of Custody Standard

The first draft of the Downstream Chain of Custody Standard and related issues is published for a 60-day public consultation. Please find relevant documents below:

Please submit feedback on the Draft Downstream Chain of Custody Standard by May 14th via this Microsoft form or by completing this Excel sheet and emailing it to standards@responsiblesteel.org.

Upcoming developments in 2024

A public consultation was conducted on proposed test phase revisions to Principle 10 from December 2023 to January 2024. A summary of comments received during the consultation is available here. Both the proposed amends to Principle 3 and Principle 10, if approved, will be integrated into a new version of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard in mid-2024.

The following areas of development are also planned for 2024. Details on how to participate will be shared in the coming months.

  • The regular review of the International Standard is due to be conducted by November 2024.
  • The recommencement of the workstream to develop technical specifications for the decarbonisation progress of sites producing High Alloy and Stainless Steels (HASS).
  • Technical specifications for sites in transition.

Got more questions about the standards development process?

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