ResponsibleSteel, a not-for-profit independent accreditation body, conducted a lengthy audit of Port Kembla’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance against its 12-point ResponsibleSteel Standard.

Companies that achieve ResponsibleSteel certification have demonstrated excellence in health and safety, sustainability, labor rights, emissions abatement, community engagement, and other areas.

BlueScope is the fourth steelmaker worldwide to achieve ResponsibleSteel certification, joining ArcelorMittal, Aperam and voestalpine.

“BlueScope is proud to be a founding member of ResponsibleSteel, and even more proud today, to achieve site certification,” said BlueScope chief executive Mark Vassella in a statement. “This award reflects the quality of our operations and how positively we seek to engage with our stakeholders, in particular our customers, suppliers, employees and our communities."

ResponsibleSteel acting chief executive Alison Lucas commented, “Having the first ResponsibleSteel certified site in Australia is critically important. Australia's steel industry generates AU$29 billion in annual revenue and employs over 110,000 Australians. Australia is also one of the most critical biospheres on earth. Having a steelmaking site assessed against the very exacting criteria within the ResponsibleSteel Standard highlights the importance of a steel sector not only focused on decarbonization but also on respecting human rights, worker rights and local communities, ensuring that health and safety remains of paramount importance and focuses on the whole ESG spectrum.”

Read the official press release here.