Six European steelmakers receive first LESS certifications

LESS AISBL has awarded its first certifications under the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) to six steel producers: Georgsmarienhütte, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, Salzgitter Flachstahl, Peiner Träger, Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech, and Ilsenburger Grobblech. These companies are now authorised to label selected products with the LESS mark, signalling verified efforts toward climate-conscious steel production.

The classification ranges from category E (non-decarbonised) to "Near Zero." Several of the certified products already meet the higher classes D to A, reflecting early progress in reducing emissions. According to LESS, further decarbonisation—especially in primary steelmaking and upstream processes such as mining and transport—is required to reach the top category.

Dr. Carmen Ostwald, Secretary General of LESS AISBL, welcomed the milestone and thanked the certified companies, accreditation partners TÜV Nord and DNV, and stakeholders such as WV Stahl and FutureCamp for their contributions to the certification process.

The LESS label aims to create a transparent, Europe-wide system for classifying low-emission steel. Originally developed by WV Stahl with support from FutureCamp and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the standard was launched at Hannover Messe in 2024. LESS AISBL has since taken over its development and governance.

Future extensions of the standard are already underway. While the current scope covers quality steel and structural grades, new modules for stainless steel, forging, tube rolling and other processes will follow, subject to public consultation.

LESS AISBL, based in Brussels, is supported by 28 steel producers across eight European countries.

Source and Photo: LESS AISBL