Upon today’s publication of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) in the European Union, the Global Steel Climate Council releases the following statement:

“Today’s publication of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) marks a significant moment for sustainable steel production in Europe and globally. The GSCC and our steel producer and associate members across the value chain in Europe appreciate EU institutions’ continued support to the steel industry, recognizing our critical role in advancing the overall competitiveness of EU manufacturing.

“The IAA specifically calls for the creation of ‘lead markets’ to stimulate demand side growth of sustainable materials, such as steel, that may include the creation of ‘labelling and information requirements’ designed by Delegated Act under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Construction Products Regulation (CPR).

“Steel plays a central role in the transition to a greener economy. Today, there is a nearly halfway split in how steel is made in the EU: 55% through the integrated blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route and 45% in circular electric arc furnaces (EAF), according to the Worldsteel Association. As an organization committed to achieving net-zero by 2050, the GSCC welcomes the European Commission’s efforts to harmonize the definition of low-carbon steel. Establishing a clear and consistent framework will send a strong signal to the entire industry and our customers, helping to accelerate investment, innovation, and the large-scale deployment of low-emission production technologies. Clear, comparable information on the carbon footprint of steel products would enable customers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Commission on the forthcoming Delegated Acts under ESPR that will define low-carbon steel criteria, keeping the IAA’s emphasis on circularity central to sustainable production in the EU. This is accomplished through a transparent, technology-neutral approach that focuses directly on climate impact and emissions reduction, applying consistent standards across all production routes.”

About the Global Steel Climate Council

The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing a technology-neutral, globally applicable standard for reducing steel emissions. By certifying science-based targets, promoting transparent carbon accounting, and encouraging investment in low-carbon technologies, GSCC empowers steel producers and consumers to achieve their decarbonization goals. Our members include steel manufacturers, associations, and organizations across the entire steel value chain, with a presence in more than 80 countries worldwide.

For more information, visit: GlobalSteelClimateCouncil.org