ResponsibleSteel has awarded its first certification to a steelmaking site in Latin America: ArcelorMittal Tubarão. ArcelorMittal Tubarão is the third-largest Brazilian producer of rolled flat steels. The company manufactures flat steel products—primarily hot-rolled plates and coils—for both domestic and international markets.

ArcelorMittal Tubarão

Launched in 2015, ResponsibleSteel sets global standards for sustainability performance and promotes the certification of steel chain companies through a network of independent certification bodies. The initiative involves more than 40 members and associates, consisting of steel chain companies and civil society organizations around the world.

ArcelorMittal Tubarão

ResponsibleSteel's role is to improve responsible steel supply, production, use and recycling by developing high-quality standards, certification, and other tools. ArcelorMittal has played a fundamental role in the establishment of this global multi-stakeholder standard and certification program.

In 2019, ResponsibleSteel created a sustainability standard that relies on twelve environmental, social and governance principles. The principles establish sustainability goals concerning the availability of water resources, health and safety, stakeholder demands, human and labor rights and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These principles enable that high standards of sustainability in production and consumption can be met.

The Tubarão certification is the first one obtained by a company outside Europe.

To ensure that the performance standard is met for certification, an audit is carried out by an independent party, in this case by the independent consultancy DNV Brazil. The audit process consisted of gathering in-depth information on sustainable practices, visits to the industrial plant to collect the much needed evidence, and interviews with stakeholders.

The sustainability standard is based on twelve environmental, social and governance principles. They are:

• Corporate Leadership
• Social, Environmental and Governance Management Systems
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Labor Rights
• Human Rights
• Local Communities
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
• Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Noise, Emissions, Effluents and Waste
• Water Stewardship
• Biodiversity
• Closure and Decommissioning