We’re shaping  a more responsible steel industry.

Following a 12-month test phase and a public consultation, ResponsibleSteel has introduced revisions to Principle 10 of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard including revised Progress Levels to assess steel decarbonisation and encourage increased recycling rates.

The launch of additional requirements for greenhouse gas emissions in September 2022 as part of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard Version 2.0 was a crucial step in driving industry progress towards near-zero steel. The Principle 10 Progress Levels were designed to not only accelerate the production of low-emissions steel by individual steelmakers, but to also drive the decarbonisation of the entire global industry and avoid a dash for scrap that would deliver no net gains.

Currently, there is no reliable data on the average emissions across the steel industry. As part of the work on Principle 10, ResponsibleSteel developed a unique dataset to enable the evaluation of emissions from any tonne of steel produced anywhere in the world with any level of scrap content. Reviewing and refining this dataset and revising our decarbonisation thresholds ensures the ResponsibleSteel Progress Levels remain the reliable benchmark for steel globally.

During the test phase for Principle 10, the ResponsibleSteel Secretariat tested the rigour of the Progress Level requirements by convening a working group of steelmakers. The proposed revisions to Principle 10 subsequently underwent a public consultation to obtain additional stakeholder feedback. We’re now pleased to announce that these revisions have been finalised and accepted by the ResponsibleSteel Board of Directors.

ResponsibleSteel is committed to continuously accelerating progress towards near zero on a global scale. The revisions to Principle 10 represent a 150 kg CO2e/t crude steel increase in the emissions intensity thresholds for Progress Level 1 on the high-scrap end of the scale. This revised Progress Level 1 and the corresponding changes to Levels 2 and 3, reflect the current state of steel industry emissions and the shallower gradient aims to encourage increased recycling rates within the bounds of end-of-life scrap availability. These revisions, as well as other revisions relating to waste energy and non-ferrous metal and ferro-alloy additives, will be incorporated into Version 2.1 of the ResponsibleSteel International Standard expected to be published in May 2024.

ResponsibleSteel’s Progress Levels are designed using a scrap variable approach to reward improvement across both scrap-based and primary steelmaking (i.e. steelmaking using iron ore) to drive down steel emissions globally. Progress Level 1 represents a distribution of existing steel sites where approximately 50% sit ‘below’ the threshold while Progress Level 4 is designed to align with the near-zero threshold of the International Energy Agency (2021) and Levels 2 and 3 provide regular points of progress on the journey from Levels 1 to 4.

It’s time to pick up the pace. To ensure a 1.5C degree future, we need every steelmaking site in the world to have achieved Progress Level 1 and significant progress made toward Progress Levels 2 and 3 by 2030. And we cannot rely on the deep decarbonisation efforts of a select number of sites alone. We must work to move the whole industry towards near zero at speed.

For more details on the revisions to Principle 10, read our summary of Principle 10’s Consultation Outcomes. If you have any questions on the revisions or want to find out more about how ResponsibleSteel’s Decarbonisation Progress Levels are supporting steel makers on the journey to near zero, please contact standards@responsiblesteel.org.

SIJ Group (Slovenian Steel Group) has achieved ResponsibleSteel certification for its SIJ Acroni and SIJ Metal Ravne sites, placing Slovenia on the global map of responsible steel production.

SIJ is a leading producer of stainless steel and special steels in Europe and is one of Slovenia’s leading exporters. The certification covers two steel mills, both operating Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs), as well as hot and cold rolling mills, and a forging shop.

“SIJ has long made efforts to be at the forefront of sustainable practice in the industry. SIJ’s first EAF opened in the 1960s, and today around 78% of its steel input is scrap. But sustainability must go beyond circularity, and beyond decarbonisation. Most recently as part of the certification audit process, SIJ has made real strides to meet ResponsibleSteel International Standard’s social and governance criteria, committing to strengthening and improving the protection of worker’s rights and health and safety systems,” said Annie Heaton, CEO, ResponsibleSteel.

SIJ is one of the largest employers in Slovenia and collectively, the newly certified sites employ over 2,600 workers. Since 2007, SIJ has invested over 800 million euros in new technology, aimed at streamlining processes, improving working conditions, and mitigating environmental impacts. The company has set a target of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030 against a 2020 baseline and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. The group has also set targets in the field of occupational health and safety. By 2026, SIJ aims to have six sites operating in accordance with ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.

Andrey Zubitskiy, President of the Management Board for SIJ commented, “Obtaining ResponsibleSteel certification represents a new sustainability milestone in the history of SIJ Group, following our transition to steel production based on circular economy principles four decades ago. We are now part of a select group of steelmaking companies worldwide that are setting standards for sustainable practices in our industry. It reflects our commitment to our employees, the community and the environment in which we operate.”

He continued, “Steel is the most widely used material in the world. With our products, we are a reliable partner for automotive, mechanical engineering, infrastructure, construction, power generation and other industries that require the assurance that the materials they use have been obtained through sourcing and production processes based on responsible practice. The goal of ResponsibleSteel is to satisfy such requirements with a management approach that combines economic development, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and transparent governance, in order to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future for people and the planet.”

However, certification isn’t the end of the journey. ResponsibleSteel certificates are valid for three years. Around 12 to 18 months in, the sites will undergo a surveillance audit by the contracted certification body, AFNOR, which will involve additional stakeholder interviews and a review of the sites’ progress on any minor non-conformities that were identified in the initial audit.

As said by Dr Tadeja Primožič Merkač, Director of Quality, Sustainability and Corporate Management, SIJ Group. “While sustainability has always been an important topic for us, ResponsibleSteel has taught us to take a more management systems-based approach and has helped us improve our understanding of the importance of even better working conditions for employees and a culture of health and safety at work. Today, we are proud of our achievement, but we are aware that the path of sustainable development is a continuous process of learning and improvement, which we will demonstrate every year and a half through recertification.”

To find out more details on this certification, please read the audit summary here.

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