Tata Steel’s Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants in Odisha have received the prestigious ‘Responsible Steel‘ certification. This milestone signifies a significant step in the Company’s sustainability journey, following Jamshedpur’s historic achievement as the first Indian steel plant to receive certification in 2022. In India, Tata Steel now produces over 90% of its steel from ResponsibleSteelTM certified sites.
In October 2022, three facilities in Jamshedpur – Steel Works, Tubes Division, and Cold Rolling Mill (Bara) – were granted the certification. The addition of Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants reaffirms Tata Steel’s commitment to responsible business practices and environmental stewardship.
Significance of the tag
ResponsibleSteelTM is a global multi-stakeholder standard and certification program for steel producers, aimed at addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, diversity, and human rights in the steel industry.
T. V. Narendran, CEO & MD of Tata Steel, expressed his appreciation for the certification, emphasizing Tata Steel’s dedication to sustainability. He commended the efforts of the Responsible Steel team, auditors, assurance panel, and Tata Steel staff in achieving this milestone. Narendran also highlighted the Company’s progress towards certifying all existing steelmaking sites in India by 2025.
Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel, praised Tata Steel’s commitment to advancing its social and environmental responsibilities through the audit process for the new site certifications. During the audits, both sites’ robust GHG emissions reduction strategies and water stewardship programs were highlighted. The ResponsibleSteel Standard aims to ensure the wellbeing of workers and local communities in addition to managing environmental impacts.
Regarding Tata Kalinganagar, Heaton noted the site’s determination to collaborate with the community, addressing past protests and local relocation issues by providing quality housing and enhancing healthcare and education through initiatives like the Tata Steel Medica Hospital and the Loyola School. At the Meramandali site, interviews with external stakeholders underscored the site’s dedication to the community, with workers reporting improved health and safety procedures post-Tata’s acquisition. Recognizing the complexities and hazards of steelmaking, Heaton commended the site and company’s continuous efforts to enhance health and safety measures to mitigate future risks. Overall, auditors were encouraged by both sites’ ongoing progress through the Responsible Steel certification program.
Responsible Steel
Responsible Steel serves as a global multi stakeholder standard and certification initiative within the steel industry. Its overarching mission is to propel socially and environmentally responsible production of net-zero steel on a global scale. Key members of Responsible Steel comprise industry leaders collaborating to mitigate the impact of steel manufacturing on both people and the planet. This initiative welcomes participation from businesses across the entire steel value chain, civil society groups, and other organizations.
Responsible Steel aims to enhance steel’s role in fostering a sustainable world by:
- Establishing a multi-stakeholder forum to foster trust and consensus-building.
- Developing standards, certification, and associated tools.
- Facilitating positive change through the acknowledgment and utilization of responsible steel practices.
The Responsible Steel International Standard is tailored to support the responsible sourcing and production of steel. It addresses various sustainability aspects, encompassing emissions, pollution, responsible sourcing, human rights, labor standards, and more.
Comments 1