Case Study – The CARES Sustainable Construction Steel Certification Scheme for Steel Reinforcement in Concrete

Abstract

The expectations of stakeholders across the construction industry value chain have evolved significantly in recent years. Driven by scientific trends, a greater understanding of sustainability impacts and new legislation, construction clients are demanding transparent, reliable data and comparable sustainability information about competing construction materials, management of their production and performance trends. Standard setting organisations and building rating systems are maturing in their requirements and third-party certification bodies have responded with improved certification options that enable the provision of data collection, auditing and reporting to meet construction client demands. The CARES Sustainable Constructional Steels (SCS) scheme is one option that applies to reinforcing carbon steel, reinforcing stainless steel, structural steel and hot rolled flat steel. Frequently specified as part of structural concrete building systems, the accredited scheme has been developed with the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders. It is based on foundations of technical specifications, traceability, product quality and the sustainability principles of inclusivity, integrity, stewardship and transparency. SCS Certification provides confidence to specifiers, designers and wider stakeholders that the sustainability impacts of constructional steel products throughout their supply chain are being actively managed and continually improved.