How do we drive the responsible production of steel?
In collaboration with our unique multi-stakeholder membership base, we have developed a standards and certification programme to provide steelmakers with a roadmap for producing responsible net-zero steel.
ResponsibleSteel is a global not-for-profit standard and certification initiative with a mission to be a driving force in the production of socially and environmentally responsible net-zero steel, globally. In an increasingly busy landscape, we believe collaboration and mutual commitment are key to driving faster, deeper decarbonisation. ResponsibleSteel provides the forum for this multi-stakeholder approach. Our members span the entire steel value chain and civil society and we encourage organisations globally with an interest in our mission to join us.
Steel is everywhere – in our cars, buildings, infrastructure, and household appliances to name a few. The industry has substantial environmental, social and economic impacts, both positive and negative and according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the steelmaking process from the extraction of raw materials to the production of steel accounts for around 10% of global emissions.
Compliance with local legal obligations alone is not sufficient to meet the expectations of customers, stakeholders and civil society and there is a need for responsible producers of steel to respond to these developments. The ResponsibleSteel programme is designed to be a key element of this response.
ResponsibleSteel was developed initially by the Australian Steel Stewardship Forum. It was incorporated as the Steel Stewardship Council in 2016 and the first draft of the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard was published in 2017. Over 70 stakeholders and 180 individuals worked to develop the first Standard.
The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard consists of 13 Principles containing over 500 requirements for the responsible sourcing and production of steel, including some of the most challenging areas of sustainability for steelmakers such as decarbonisation. However responsible steelmaking goes beyond climate change mitigation. That’s why the Standard also lays out requirements on labour, human rights, water, biodiversity, and more. We review the Standard at least every five years with the support and input of our members and stakeholders to ensure we continue to drive progress and promote the highest levels of responsibility for steelmaking.
ResponsibleSteel certification applies to steelmaking sites, and to related sites that process raw materials for steelmaking, or that produce steel products. All ResponsibleSteel certified sites must meet the International Production Standard’s core requirements to achieve site certification. But we believe moving towards responsible steel production is a continuous journey. That’s why in addition to the core requirements, sites can also be audited against four Progress Levels assessing progress on decarbonisation and responsible materials sourcing. Sites which obtain at least Level 1 for both decarbonisation and materials sourcing can market their steel products as certified steel.





