SSA certification provides assurance that your sustainable steelwork operations are best practice and are managed through responsibly sourced and ethical supply chains.
SSA Certification
The Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) Program certifies downstream steel suppliers (including fabricators, roll formers, reinforcing processors) by assessing the environmental and social impact of steelwork manufacturing and processing operations.
The SSA certification program assesses compliance to a mix of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and provides 4 pathways (L1, L2A, L2B, L3) to achieve certification. Suppliers that are certified to meet the SSA requirements are referred to as "SSA Certified Steel Facilities or Suppliers".
SSA Verification
To ensure SSA Certified Steel Suppliers are sourcing responsible steel feedstock, the SSA program verifies upstream crude steel manufacturing mills against best practice ESG indicators in the responsible manufacturing of semi-finished products. Steel manufacturing mills that are verified to meet SSA requirements are referred to as "SSA Verified Steel Manufacturing Mill Suppliers."
Credit: Metalcorp
The SSA Program is a recognised initiative under the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Responsible Products Framework (RPF). Certification to each SSA level have corresponding Responsible Product Values (RPVs) that meet the requirements of the 4 Green Star Responsible Products Credits under the ‘Responsible’ category in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.
*RPV = Responsible Product Value under the Green Star Responsible Product Program. RPVs assigned to SSA levels are subject to change. For further information on RPVs and Green Star Credits contact GBCA.
Level 1: The entry level of SSA certification requires compliance to best practice governance, environmental and OHS management criteria and verifies the steel feedstock is sourced from a “responsible” steel manufacturer or producer.
While Level 1 certification will not qualify a product as either ‘Good Practice’ or ‘Best Practice’ under the Responsible Products Framework, the obtained 4 RPV can be combined with other valid certifications to acheive Green Star credits.
Level 2: Certification to levels 2A or 2B build on the requirements of Level 1 and assure compliance to additional environmental, health and social impact assessments via two pathways; 2A certification, where a verified product-specific EPD can be provided and 2B certification, where a verified product-specific EPD cannot be provided.
Level 2 certification achieves ‘Good Practice’ recognition (at least 10 RPV) under GBCA's Responsible Products Program providing varying 'Responsible Credits' in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.
Level 3: The aspirational level of certification assesses extended compliance requirements to achieve ‘Best Practice’ recognition (at least 15 RPV) under GBCA's Responsible Products Program providing varying 'Responsible Credits' in the Green Star Buildings rating tool.
Fees payable on application include, SSA Joining Fee (one-off) + SSA Certification Fee according to level of certification (12 month certification cycle) + Additional Site Fee - if applicable (12 month certification cycle) + Additional EPDs - if applicable (for Steel Manufacturing Mills with more than 5 EPDs to be verified). All fees quoted are in AUD and exclude GST. Full terms and conditions are available on application.
For multi-site certification pricing options and conditions, register to access the SSA Program Rules or Contact Us.
Company members of the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) receive significantly discounted SSA rates. Before SSA application, if you wish to confirm that your company is a current ASI member, please check the ASI Industry Directory Listing. To explore ASI membership and benefits, visit the ASI website.
| SSA Certification Level | Joining Fee | Certification/Verification Fee | Additional Site Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSA Level 1 | $1,890 | $2,740 | $1,100 |
| SSA Level 2A | $1,890 | $3,760 | $1,580 |
| SSA Level 2B | $1,890 | $3,560 | $1,530 |
| SSA Level 3 | $1,890 | $4,050 | $1,800 |
| SSA Steel Manufacturing Mill Supplier Verification* | $1,890 | $3,560 | $1,530 |
| Cost inclusions | Set up of company in SSA management system | SSA management system services and support + audit costs for one site. *Verification of up to 5 EPDs for Steel Manufacturing Mill Supplier Verification | Cost to audit and service additional site |
| SSA Certification Level | Joining Fee | Certification/Verification Fee | Additional Site Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSA Level 1 | $2,820 | $4,100 | $1,650 |
| SSA Level 2A | $2,820 | $5,640 | $2,350 |
| SSA Level 2B | $2,820 | $5,330 | $2,300 |
| SSA Level 3 | $2,820 | $6,080 | $2,700 |
| SSA Steel Manufacturing Mill Supplier Verification* | $2,820 | $5,640 | $2,350 |
| Cost inclusions | Set up of company in SSA management system | SSA management system services and support + audit costs for one site *Verification of up to 5 EPDs for Steel Manufacturing Mill Supplier Verification | Cost to audit and service additional site |
Non-Conformance Corrective Action Review (CAR) fee
As per the SSA Rules, where non-conformances are identified during the audit, 1 x CAR is allowable free of charge for each audit year. An additional fee of $110 will be charged for each 30 minute block of CARs conducted by the auditor, over and above the allowable first CAR.
Steel Manufacturing Mills Additional EPDs
Verification of up to 5 EPDs is included in the SSA Steel Manufacturing Mill Supplier Verification fee. For additional EPDs a fee of $200 will apply for each additional block of 5 EPDs. Additional EPDs are to be added when completing the application form.
SSA Applicants are subjected to an annual, site-based desktop audit conducted by an independent auditor to assess compliance to the requirements relevant to the chosen level of certification (SSA L1, 2A, 2B or 3). The audit assesses the management systems, and on-site operations and practices in manufacturing the finished steel product.
Based on the audit results and certification recommendation, SSA determines the certification outcome for the Applicant. Successfully certified sites are published on the SSA Supplier Listing on this website and are issued with a SSA Certificate of Compliance for their chosen level of SSA certification. SSA certification covers the manufacturing or processing site assessed, as well as the steel products produced from that site.
SSA Clients can use the SSA Certificate of Compliance and the SSA Certified Mark to promote their site as certified to the SSA level achieved. SSA certification on its own does not assure the actual steel products supplied to the project meets the requirements of the SSA program.
When claiming SSA certification on a given project (Green Star or other project specifying SSA certification), the following documents must be submitted to the project client, as per the SSA Rules:
a) Valid SSA Certificate of Compliance
b) Completed SSA Supplied Declaration of Conformity
c) Completed SSA Steel Supply Sourcing Form
These are accessible via the SSA Supporting Tools and Audit Guidance.