New Sustainable Constructional Steel Scheme for processors and traders

ACRS is proud to announce the official launch of a new Sustainable Constructional Steel Scheme for processors and traders. This augments the current scheme for producers, extending full ESG certification through the supply chain.

The new version of the Scheme will streamline the certification process for downstream suppliers with requirements better tailored to traders and processors.

Recognised by Green Star

The ACRS SCS Scheme is a recognised initiative within the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Responsible Products Program, which forms part of the Green Star Buildings rating tool. Products certified under the Scheme can contribute to a project’s Responsible Product Value (RPV), which in turn can account for up to 25% of the available points within relevant materials-related Green Star credits.

This reflects performance in areas such as:- Carbon emission reduction- Product transparency and traceability- Circularity of materials- Human rights and labour conditions- Chemical safety and responsible sourcing

"ACRS’s SCS certification is a much-needed tool that independently verifies sustainability claims against a set of global criteria - including ethical sourcing - and provides confidence to clients and investors regarding sustainability claims.

Recognition by GBCA reinforces the Scheme's value to the industry, but what sets it apart is the depth and rigour of assessment, requiring the certificate holder to verify claims at all stages along the supply chain."

– Andrew Wheeler, Executive Director ACRS

What's new?

The new stream of the SCS Scheme recognises that downstream firms have different but critical impacts. Processors and traders can now get certified with the following steps:

1. Review certification criteria

2. Complete self-assessment workbook

3. Submission and review of workbook for compliance to the Scheme

4. Undergo independent third-party audit by ACRS

5. Receive certification

Benefits for mesh processors, cut & bend operators, steel traders & distributors:

> Demonstrates ESG compliance across the steel supply chain

> Applicable for Green Star Responsible Products credits

> Offers supply chain confidence to buyers - construction firms, designers & contractors

> Meets client expectations on ethical sourcing and sustainability

> Accessible to SMEs with a scalable, pragmatic approach

What users say

Julian Borgert from PPR explains "The main benefit of the SCS scheme is a uniform and benchmarked approach to reducing your impact and demonstrating to your customers your commitment to sustainable principles. We wanted to be able to provide sustainability data in an independently-certified manner – and via one uniform approach, rather than different criteria, processes and documentation for every customer."

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Benefits for steel users:

> Procurement confidence for steel that meets top-tier ESG and compliance requirements

> More Green Star Responsible Product Value credits than any other scheme

> Digital verification with fraud-proof cloud-based certificate lookupRisk reduction via modern slavery compliance, safety standards & regulatory DD

> Market leadership showing commitment to responsible sourcing & low-carbon construction 

Recognised globally by rating systems & governments

• Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) under its Responsible Products program, Aus

• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), UK

• U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system, USA

• Construction Industry Council (CIC)’s Green Product Certification (GPC) scheme, Hong Kong

• Singapore Green Building Council’s Green Building Product Certification (SGBP) Certification Scheme, Singapore