I. Full analysis of the export certification process of recycled steel
1. International general certification standards
The export of recycled steel must comply with the technical regulations and environmental protection requirements of the target market. Common certifications include:
ISO 14021 environmental label certification: proves the recycled material content of the product and the compliance of the recycling process.
EU CE certification: for construction steel, it must comply with the environmental performance requirements in the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
US EPA certification: recycled steel must pass the EPA's Toxic Substances Control (TSCA) test.
Global Recycling Standard (GRS): Traceability review of the recycled material supply chain by a third-party certification agency (such as Control Union).
2. Core steps of export certification
Step 1: Raw material traceability management
Establish a recycled raw material procurement ledger to record the source of scrap steel (such as scrapped cars, construction waste), supplier qualifications and transportation documents.
Example: The EU requires that the proportion of "post-consumer scrap steel" in recycled steel raw materials should not be less than 70%, and a raw material classification certificate must be provided.
Step 2: Compliance review of production process
The process must comply with the national standard "Regenerated Steel Raw Materials" (GB/T 39733-2020) to ensure that there is no secondary pollution in the smelting and refining stages.
Key equipment must pass environmental protection acceptance (such as dust removal systems and wastewater treatment facilities).
Step 3: Carbon footprint accounting and disclosure
Calculate the carbon footprint of the product's entire life cycle according to the ISO 14064 standard, and focus on disclosing energy consumption data in the smelting and rolling stages.
Suggestion: The use of green electricity (such as wind power and photovoltaics) can reduce the carbon emission accounting value.
Step 4: Certification body review and certificate acquisition
Submit the information to SGS, TÜV Rheinland and other institutions, and the review cycle is usually 4-6 weeks.
The certificate is generally valid for 1 year and needs to be reviewed regularly.
II. Carbon tariff (CBAM) impact and response strategy
1. The impact of the EU carbon tariff (CBAM) on steel exports
Implementation time: Formal collection in 2026, 2023-2025 as a transition period.
Accounting scope: covers direct emissions (smelting process) and indirect emissions (purchased electricity).
Cost pressure: Based on the EU carbon price of 100 euros/ton, each ton of steel needs to pay a tariff of about 30-50 euros.
2. Enterprise response plan
Strategy 1: Optimize supply chain carbon management
Prioritize the purchase of low-carbon scrap steel (such as industrial waste instead of post-consumer waste) to reduce carbon emissions at the raw material end.
Invest in the short process of electric arc furnace, which can reduce emissions by 40%-60% compared with the long process of blast furnace-converter.
Strategy 2: Participate in the carbon trading market
Accumulate emission reductions in the China National Carbon Market (CEA) to offset CBAM taxes and fees.
Example: If an enterprise achieves 10,000 tons of emission reductions through CCER (national certified voluntary emission reductions), it can save about 1 million yuan in CBAM costs.
Strategy 3: Apply for carbon border adjustment exemption
Prove that the product has paid domestic carbon tax (such as the industry covered by the Chinese carbon market), and apply for CBAM tax exemption.
Key actions: Establish a carbon account system and keep records of carbon quota transactions.
Strategy 4: Layout green certification premium
Increase product added value through the "carbon neutral steel" label and hedge tariff costs.
Case: After a steel company obtained SGS carbon neutrality certification, the premium rate of export orders to the EU increased by 8%.
Conclusion
The export of recycled steel has shifted from "price competition" to "green compliance competition". Enterprises need to simultaneously promote the standardization of certification processes and the construction of carbon management systems to transform environmental protection costs into brand competitiveness. By deploying low-carbon technologies in advance and participating in international carbon pricing mechanisms, Chinese steel companies are expected to occupy the high end of the global value chain in the carbon neutral era.