Title: CARES Sustainable Constructional Steel Certification Scheme

Author(s): Lee Brankley, Ayhan Tugrul, Ladin Camci, and Dave Knight

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 326

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 72.1-72.10

Keywords: certification; environmental product declarations (EPDs); human rights; life-cycle analysis (LCA); ethics; reinforcement; socio-economic impacts; sustainability

DOI: 10.14359/51711055

Date: 8/10/2018

Abstract:

The expectations of stakeholders across the construction industry value chain have increased significantly because of new legislation, a growing body of scientific evidence and a greater understanding of sustainability impacts. There is now a demand for companies to manage a wide range of issues in a systematic way, to improve performance and to be able to demonstrate this.

Designers and specifiers are demanding transparent, reliable data and comparable sustainability information about competing construction materials. Standard setting organizations and building rating systems are maturing in their requirements. Third-party certification bodies have responded with improved certification schemes that facilitate the provision of data collection, auditing and reporting. The CARES Sustainable Constructional Steel (SCS) scheme, which certifies reinforcing carbon and stainless steel, structural steel and hot rolled flat steel internationally, is a good example of such a scheme.

Developed with the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders, the accredited scheme is based on the foundations of technical specifications, traceability and product quality as well as the sustainability principles of inclusivity, integrity, stewardship and transparency. Specification of certified steels for reinforced concrete helps reduce detrimental and increase positive sustainability impacts across the construction industry value chain.