Recycling Europe, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the European Waste Management Association (FEAD) have issued a joint statement on the introduction of the Green Steel label in accordance with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) regulation. The statement emphasizes that a scientifically sound and ambitious methodology is needed to decarbonize the steel sector. The signatories expressed their support for the methodology developed by the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (JRC), arguing that the level of requirements for performance classes assigned to steel products in accordance with the Delegated Law should be significantly increased. According to the organizations, this is necessary to reduce Europe's dependence on third countries and to direct investments in low-carbon and non-fossil fuel technologies. The statement notes that the technology-neutral approach adopted by JRC currently represents the most appropriate methodology for managing the transition to low-carbon technologies. The system, based on a start-to-finish assessment and fixed performance thresholds, determines the decarbonization potential of recycled steel scrap. Unlike alternative methodologies, which can hinder cycling and increase the European Union's dependence on primary raw materials with a higher environmental impact, the JRC approach is claimed to ensure that investments are directed towards technologies that use the most environmentally friendly raw materials and production processes. In this context, the production of fossil-fuel-free primary steel using hydrogen-based direct iron reduction (DRI) and electric arc furnaces (EAF) technologies will be rewarded, which will help achieve the EU's climate and environmental goals while avoiding the consequences associated with carbon-intensive technologies. The statement also emphasizes that JRC's methodology will encourage investments in production areas that will strengthen Europe's open strategic autonomy. By reducing carbon emissions as a result of the transition to products with a high content of recycled materials, the demand for iron ore and concentrates, much of which is imported from outside the EU, will decrease. The widespread availability of scrap in Europe is expected to facilitate this transition and, even with increased demand, will not create a supply shortage for European steel producers. As a result, dependence on imports of primary raw materials from third countries can be significantly reduced. The signatories of the agreement also warned,
Recycling Europe, EEB and FEAD companies call for labeling "green steel"
