We’re shaping  a more responsible steel industry.

ResponsibleSteel is fast becoming the reference tool to drive the demand, policy, and finance levers necessary for the steel industry’s transition, providing a sustainability roadmap that customers, communities, investors, and workers can all get behind.

ResponsibleSteel’s annual Progress Report provides an opportunity to measure and report on the progress of our programmes, celebrating our milestones and identifying areas for learning and improvement.

In this second ResponsibleSteel Progress Report, we track the development of new work undertaken in 2024, the growth of ResponsibleSteel's membership, and the progress of our certification programme as we look toward 2030 and beyond.

2024 was a challenging year for the industry, but despite setbacks, we continued to see real determination and progress.

In 2024, we saw a 34% increase in the number of Certified Sites, bringing the total up to 87. And we saw the first sites complete re-certifications, a true testament to the enduring value of ResponsibleSteel certification. Critically, the first Certified Steel was also launched on the market – 2.4 million tonnes produced by U. S. Steel’s Big River Steel site – marking a new era of progress.

This Progress Report examines the growth of ResponsibleSteel’s certification programme and membership in 2024, as well as featuring other highlights from the year, including:

• The launch of the International Production Standard Version 2.1
• The launch of a draft Chain of Custody Standard
• The publication of our report, Charting Progress to 1.5°C through certification
• Insights into the value of ResponsibleSteel membership and certification from our 2024 Membership Survey

Looking to the future, we continue to build on work begun in 2024 to build a market for responsibly produced, near-zero steel by engaging with and mobilising policymakers, investors, and buyers of steel.

Read the full report to find out more about our progress in 2024 and plans for 2025.

Steel Safety Day is a reminder that safety must be a shared value across the global steel industry. Established to reduce accidents, it highlights the risks workers face daily, from heavy machinery and extreme heat to hazardous materials, and reinforces our collective responsibility to protect them.

In 2023, World Steel Association (worldsteel) members reported 61 fatalities globally, representing a global fatal frequency rate (FFR) of 0.017, the lowest on record.  While this demonstrates progress, steelmaking remains a high-risk industry compared to other sectors. According to worldsteel, on average, 20% of incidents have the potential to lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Without strong safety frameworks, the risks associated with working in the steel industry can have devastating consequences for workers, families, and wider communities.

ResponsibleSteel members are making strong headway in fostering a culture of safety. At Arvedi AST, safety is a shared responsibility from leadership to the frontline. HSE Manager Fernando Camponi explains:

"In Arvedi AST, over the last few years, major efforts have been directed towards increasing the health and safety culture at every level, from management to workers, with particular reference to the key role of supervisors. As an example, we can mention the 'STAR' (Safety Training and Review) project, through which the most expert supervisors check on site the correct application of all safety operating instructions by all workers, providing, if necessary, for their revision or updating."

Meanwhile, Outokumpu has embraced technological innovation to enhance safety. Thorsten Piniek, VP of Health & Safety, comments:

"Safety of our people is our first priority. During 2024, we maintained world-class safety performance. We have implemented a structured way of doing safety behaviour observations and learning from each other across the organisation. Last year, our preventive safety actions were up 5% since 2023, so our people have done a fantastic job! In addition, our three safety robots utilising AI helped us reduce our employees' exposure to hazardous areas."

There is also a financial benefit to investing in health and safety. A 2017 study by the Institute for Work & Health in Canada found that employers investing in occupational health and safety in the manufacturing sector earned on average an estimated return of 24%.

As technology advances, so does our ability to prevent harm within the steel sector. But lasting progress relies on culture: empowering workers, building trust, and making safety the priority and default. A sustainable steel industry must first and foremost be a safe one.

At ResponsibleSteel, health and safety are core to our International Production Standard, as they are fundamental to a sustainable industry. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principle embedded in our Production Standard ensures that the safety of workers is prioritised at every level of steel production. A sustainable industry must be safe for the people who power it, and without proper protections in place, there can be no true social or environmental progress.

We are pleased to invite ResponsibleSteel members to the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ResponsibleSteel Ltd on Monday, 19 May 2025. The meeting will be held online via Microsoft Teams.

Time:

• AGM: 12:00 – 12:30 (GMT+1)
• Members Meeting: 12:30 – 13:30 (GMT+1)

Agenda:

1. Chair’s Report
2. CEO’s Update
3. Financial statements and reports
4. Announcement of the results of the election of Directors

Registration in advance is required to attend the AGM and Members Meeting, and members must be up-to-date with their membership fees to be able to join and participate in any votes. We encourage all members to register and participate in the call.

The AGM will be followed by a Members Meeting, during which we will explore the latest developments around ResponsibleSteel and what’s in store for the rest of the year. Members will also have the chance to ask questions and provide input on a number of topics.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact our membership team.