Hazardous substances are an integral part of steel production: from chromium-containing alloying components to acids in pickling plants to VOC-containing coating systems. ThyssenKrupp Steel promotes its hazardous substance management as exemplary and points to comprehensive documentation systems. But what is the actual situation regarding compliance with the REACH regulation, transparency towards customers, and the integration of substance flow data into EPD documentation for structural steel?
The regulatory requirements for steel manufacturers have become significantly more stringent in recent years. In addition to the registration requirement under REACH (EU Regulation 1907/2006), manufacturers must register all substances exceeding one ton per year with the ECHA, provide safety data sheets according to GHS criteria, and document exposure scenarios for downstream users. For structural steel according to DIN EN 10025 or reinforcing steel according to DIN 488, this means: Every batch must be traceable with regard to its alloying components, potential PAH contamination from coatings, and residues from further processing.
ThyssenKrupp Steel has expanded its REACH compliance system in recent years and communicates complete registration of all relevant substances. In parallel, digital recording of substance flows has been implemented to provide exposure scenarios for customers – for example in structural steelwork or the automotive industry. For planners and purchasers, this means: Safety data sheets should not only be formally available, but should be tailored to project-specific requirements, for example when used in enclosed spaces or during thermal processing.
A critical point remains the transparency of the CO₂ and pollutant balance across the entire supply chain. While ThyssenKrupp aggressively communicates its Green Steel initiative with hydrogen direct reduction, conventional blast furnace steel often lacks consistent declaration of Scope 3 emissions and hazardous substance exposures in the upstream chain. Compared to competitors such as Salzgitter or SSAB, which also focus on transparency, the trend shows: The publication of detailed EPD data and the integration of hazardous substance information into product passports is increasingly becoming a differentiating factor in B2B business.
For use in certified building projects according to DGNB or LEED, complete documentation of hazardous substances is now a prerequisite. Architects and specialist planners should therefore pay attention not only to mechanical properties and delivery times when selecting steel, but also to the availability of current safety data sheets, EPD certificates, and manufacturer-specific exposure scenarios. Documentation requirements will increase further with the planned tightening of the EU Construction Products Regulation and the introduction of CBAM – a circumstance that transforms hazardous substance management from a compliance issue into a strategic competitive factor.
