Alacero welcomes new ISO standard

alaceroSantiago, Chile, April 11th, 2013. Alacero-Latin American Steel Association- welcomes the publication of an ISO standard that defines a calculation method of carbon dioxide emission intensity from iron and steel production. The standard is based on the CO2 data collection methodology that has been promoted by worldsteel (the association that represents steel producers globally) and widely used by the industry for the past five years.

Alacero and several of its associated companies have contributed to gather and share data for the program. Launched in 2007, CO2 data collection program aims to provide steel producers with a reliable benchmark for their CO2 emissions. The number of participating organizations has steadily increased since launch, from 38 companies in 2007 to 51 in 2011, representing more than 200 steel plants worldwide.

As part of this initiative “Climate Action Program”, 33 organizations of the steel industry –Alacero among them have reported data on their emissions from the beginning.

Guillermo Moreno, General Director of Alacero, comments: “Alacero has actively participated of this initiative from the very beginning. Today we are very pleased as this ISO standard confirms the methodological seriousness of this methodology. The steel industry is essential to achieve a sustainable Latin America. This new ISO standard to monitor CO2 emissions is a tool that will allow the plants in our region focus on activities and improvements that assure steel role in the sustainable future of our continent.”

The standard is available for two categories of steel-making processes; Part 1 (ISO 14404-1) for steel plants with blast furnaces and Part 2 (ISO 14404-2) for steel plants with electric arc furnaces.

Glosary International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards give state of the art specifications for products, services and good practice, helping to make industry more efficient and effective. Developed through global consensus, they help to break down barriers to international trade.

About Alacero

Alacero–Latin American Steel Association- is the organization that brings together the Steel Value Chain of Latin America to promote the values of regional integration, technological innovation, corporate responsibility and social and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1959, Alacero is formed by 52 companies of 12 countries, whose production of about 70 million annual tons- represents 95% of the steel manufactured in Latin America. Alacero is a Special Consulting Organization to the United Nations and is recognized as International Non-Government Organization by the Republic of Chile, host country of Alacero´s headquarters.