The metal and steel sector in Germany

Within the German industrial landscape, the metal and steel industry is by far the most affected by the constantly increasing pressure for quality and innovation. Quality management certified according to ISO 9001 is therefore also worthwhile against the background that the standard explicitly addresses innovation-promoting topics such as strategic opportunities and risks or knowledge management. First and foremost, however, the standard contributes significantly to optimising existing company processes: A certified quality management system also opens up scope for developing new ideas.

For companies involved in the supply chains of the automotive and railway industries, certification according to the industry standards IATF 16949 and IRIS (ISO TS 22163) is another way to demonstrably meet the high quality requirements in these areas.

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The production and processing of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals involves considerable consumption of energy and raw materials and the emission of large quantities of emissions.

An environmental management system certified according to ISO 14001 or validated according to EMAS forms the basis for the continuous improvement of environmental performance and supports your company in meeting legal requirements through the economical use of raw materials and energy, in permanently reducing costs and in responding to the ever louder calls for more ecological action.

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By introducing an energy management system according to ISO 50001, potential savings can be identified and energy sources can be used more efficiently. In addition, a certified system protects you against the particularly complex legislation in this area.

As an accredited certification body with a wide range of approvals, we issue certificates that not only fulfil the standard requirements, but also guarantee recognition by state authorities.

For example, state benefits or tax refunds, such as the Special Compensation Scheme (BesAR) under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and the successor regulation to the Peak Compensation Scheme under the SpaEfV, are linked to the operation of a systematic EnMS in accordance with ISO 50001, EMAS or (for SMEs) an Alternative System. Our certification is worth your money.

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One of the greatest challenges of the metal and steel sector is to make its business climate-friendly. The goal of climate neutrality is linked to efforts and technical and technological innovations, for example to reduce energy consumption, to enable the transition to renewable energy sources, for technical investments and the compensation of unavoidable emissions.

A functioning climate strategy in one's own organisation is therefore essential. It is based on a solid greenhouse gas (GHG) balance. The majority of the emissions generated in the industry occur in the company's own production and via its direct suppliers. The Corporate Carbon Footprint serves as a management tool to identify the main CO2 emissions, to determine mitigation measures, to implement cost reduction plans and to build trust. If individual products are to be assessed for their emission intensity, the Product Carbon Footprint is used (more information also available at www.climateneutrality.com).

If your company participates in European emissions trading, GUTcert can assist you with its many years of experience. As one of the leading verification bodies in emissions trading with full industry accreditation from the DAkkS, we verify emissions reports from all industries with stationary installations.

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The metal and steel industry is also characterised by an increased risk to the safety and health of employees. An occupational safety and health management system (SGAMS) certified according to ISO 45001 helps to minimise accident and illness-related absences in your workforce. The introduction and maintenance of an SGAMS is primarily linked to environmental management.

As a member of the globally represented AFNOR Group, GUTcert offers you certifications worldwide - also in combination with, for example, environmental or quality management.

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Evidence of sustainability-related performance is increasingly becoming mandatory criteria in major tenders and is often an important step towards winning a contract. In order to anchor a systematic approach and ensure credibility, sector-specific sustainability standards have been developed for the metal and steel industries.

In addition to the standardised management systems, the certifiable sustainability standards of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) are also of interest to companies in the aluminium industry. The ASI Performance Standard and the complementary ASI Chain of Custody Standard were developed to assess the sustainability performance of companies at every stage of the value chain. The aim of the initiative is to increase customer acceptance of products containing aluminium and to reduce negative environmental impacts through energy-efficient recycling.

With Responsible Steel™, a very similar sustainability standard for the value creation process in the steel industry has existed since the end of 2019. Thus, a ResponsibleSteel™ certified company suggests that the steel products used were manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially just manner.

A sustainability report validated according to common standards is a proven tool for companies to present their economic, environmental and social performance to business partners, customers, NGOs and the public.

A sustainability report is also an advantage when it comes to filling out evaluations for supply chains that are common in Germany, such as EcoVadis.

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