Aperam announced that its Stainless Europe operations have been successfully certified to be operating at the ResponsibleSteel™ Standard by the independent auditors AFNOR. The ResponsibleSteel™ initiative is the first global sustainability certification programme for the steel sector and its certification follows a stringent audit of the company’s practices.
The ResponsibleSteelTM Standard, which was designed together by business partners and NGOs with the aim of promoting steel as a responsible material of choice, contains 12 principles with more than 200 requirements that set the benchmark for responsible steel production. The audit of Aperam’s facilities examined such sustainability topics as (i) Governance and ethics; (ii) Health & Safety and other labor and human rights; (iii) Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity; (iv) Water stewardship and other environmental impacts; and (v) Stakeholder engagement and local community relations.
In accordance with the standard process, Aperam’s sites were screened based on written documentation, and underwent on-site audits by third-party auditors from AFNOR Certification.
An independent Assurance Panel reviewed the final audit report and agreed with the audit team’s conclusion that Aperam meets the ResponsibleSteel™ criteria.
