SSA Certification Levels
SSA supporting tools as referenced in the SSA Technical Requirements document, and further guidance material
The tools and guidance material are designed to support Applicants to comply to the Credits relevant to each SSA level, and their use may not meet compliance requirements on their own. Not all Credits have a SSA tool provided. The SSA Technical Requirements document must be reviewed for all compliance requirements for each SSA Credit.
| SSA Credit | Guidance and Supporting Tools | Required Evidence (upload to SSA portal) | SSA Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSA Credit 1.1 Business Integrity | Credit 1.1 is mandatory for all SSA levels. A Code of Conduct is a set of rules or standards of conduct for employees or an organisation to follow, including the relationship between employees and with their customers. They can guard against misconduct and opportunistic behaviour, while fostering long term changes to business culture. The SSA Credit 1.1 - Code of Conduct Template is optional and can be used to develop a complying Code of Condict. Alternative documentation with policies that are signed by management and address the 6 matters in the Technical Requirements can be provided to meet the credit. Applicants must provide evidence of communicating the Code of Conduct with management and staff, and include signed training records. | 1. Provide the completed SSA Credit 1.1 - Code of Conduct Template. OR 2. Provide the following policies, and ensure they are signed by management: - Inclusion and Diversity - Conflicts of interest - Anti-bribery and corruption - Whistleblower mechanism - Confidentiality - Community engagement 3. Provide evidence of communication with and training of management and staff on policies - include signed training records of 50% of staff. 4. Provide evidence of any complaints recorded. | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 1.2 Management Systems | Credit 1.2 is mandatory for all SSA levels. A. Business Governance. A Business management system comprises documents, policies, procedures and processes to support accountable business practices. It includes roles and responsibilities for implementation. B. Safety Management System. A Safety management system comprises documents, policies, procedures and processes to ensure a safe workplace. It includes roles and responsibilities for implementation. No SSA template supplied. Comcare guidance on developing an OHS/WHS management system | A. Business Governance 1. Provide a current ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate OR 2. Provide evidence of a documented Quality and/or Business Management System that includes policies, procedures and processes to support accountable business practices, and a process for document control. 3. Provide evidence of roles and responsibilities for implementation and senior management assigned for policy implementation. 4. Provide evidence of how policies and procedures are communicated and made available to employees B. Safety Management System 1. Provide a current ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Certificate OR 2. Provide evidence of a documented Safety Management System appropriate to operation (eg projects & workshop) that includes: - WHS Policy - Hazard/risk assessment and Risk register - Procedures for safety controls and continual improvement - Records management 3. Provide a risk assessment undertaken for a project or workshop 4. Provide evidence of responsibilities assigned to senior management. 5. Provide evidence of staff trained in WHS system e.g signed training records for 50% of staff 6. Provide evidence of a chemical register and SDS - if applicable | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 1.3 Stakeholder Engagement | Credit 1.3 is mandatory for all SSA levels. A Communications Strategy identifies relevant key stakeholders and outlines methods and frequency of communication. The SSA Credit 1.3 - Stakeholder Engagement Template is optional and other evidence can be supplied in its place.
| 1.Provide the completed SSA Credit 1.3 - Stakeholder Engagement Template. OR 3. Provide the Communications Strategy including the procedure and process of communicating to stakeholders (e.g for each stakeholder group identify frequency (e.g weekly/monthly), and type of communication (e.g email/newsletter/meetings), and the content of communication (refer Credit 1.3 for minimum content) 4. Provide evidence of communications to/from stakeholders (e.g emails, meeting minutes, newsletters, website) including content on:- Information on the SSA Program - Performance against the SSA Program - Inviting feedback on company performance or operation 5. Provide evidence on feedback collected from stakeholders 6. Provide evidence of the opportunities provided to stakeholders for them to engage with the business (e.g employee suggestion box, customer survey sent, website feedback form). | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 2.1 Environmental Management Systems | Credit 2.1 is mandatory for all SSA levels. An Environmental Management System comprises documents, policies, procedures and processes to manage the environmental aspects and impacts of a business. No SSA template supplied. Australian Government Business Support on environmental management. | 1. Provide a current ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certificate OR 2. Provide evidence of an Environmental Management System that identifies environmental risks and manages potential impacts caused by the site manufacturing. The EMS should include: - an Environmental Impacts and Aspects Register - identify the workplace processes and their associated environmental aspect that could be affected. Undertake a risk assessment to rate the risk as low, medium, or high. Include management controls for the identified risks to minimise the impacts. - Specific and measurable KPI's for all medium to high environmental risks that are identified - Measurement of progress against KPI's and implement corrective actions - A Continual improvement process to reduce environmental impacts 3. EPA license if applicable. | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 2.2 Environmental Product Declarations | Credit 2.2 is mandatory for SSA levels 2A and 3. Select a project completed in the last 12 months (a Green Star project should be used if possible) and choose Option 1a, 1b, or 2 to comply with this credit. The SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Sourcing Form is mandatory. This is the same form as required in Credit 4.1. The SSA Credit 2.2 - EPD Form is mandatory for Option 2 (unless exempt). The SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Supplier Declaration of Conformity is mandatory when claiming SSA certification on a given project (Green Star project or other project specifying SSA certification) EPD Australasia EPD International EN 15804 – Sustainability of construction works – Environmental product declarations – Core rules for the product category of construction products ISO 14040 – Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework ISO 14044 – Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines | OPTION 1: Provide the EPD(s) for the finished steel product(s) manufactured by the Applicant. OPTION 2: Provide the LCA for the finished steel product(s) manufactured by the Applicant. OPTION 3: 1. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Sourcing Form for a project completed in the last 12 months. Form must show that at least 70% (by weight) of the semi-finished products have EPDs. 2. Provide the EPDs for all semi-finished products that are declared on the Form as having EPDs. 3. Provide traceability evidence of the steel products purchased for the project (e.g provide a sample of delivery dockets, invoices, mill certificates). DO NOT upload all invoices for the project - the auditor will request additional records if required to verify the purchases. 4. If the Applicant manufactures a defined steel product range, provide the completed SSA Credit 2.2 - EPD Form with evidence the GWP is within 10% variance of the suppliers EPD(s). | 2A,3 |
| SSA Credit 2.3 Health Impacts | Credit 2.3 is mandatory for SSA levels 2B and 3. A Health Impacts Declaration is completed to ensure the safety of all downstream users once the product is ready for use. It assesses the impacts of the finished product during the lifecycle phases of transport, installation, use and maintenance and end of life. The SSA Credit 2.3 - Health Impacts Declaration is mandatory. | 1. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 2.3 - Health Impacts Declaration for the finished product identified on the SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Souring Form. The declaration is to address the downstream handling and use of the finished steel product - from when the product leaves the manufacturing site to the product being installed at the building site, including: - the lifecycle phases - transport, installation, use & maintenance, end of life - physical and chemical health impacts during each lifecycle phase - all known hazards and relevant SDS information (applicants can use the SDS of the semi-finished steel product as guidance) - ensure the SSA Credit 2.3 Health Impacts Declarationis written at a level appropriate for all users 2. Provide evidence that the SSA Credit 2.3 - Health Impacts Declaration is published on the Applicant's website. | 2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 2.4 Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosure | Credit 2.4 is optional for all Levels for 2025. From 2026 Credit 2.4 will be mandatory for all Levels. GHG emissions are reported in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) and include all major greenhouse gases:
The boundary of a site’s GHG emissions is the geographic and operational limits that define which GHG emission sources are included within the GHG emission inventory. The boundary should remain consistent each year to ensure annual GHG emissions can be tracked and compared year on year. The Applicant is to determine and provide its site GHG emissions boundary in its SSA application. The site emissions inventory is a detailed record of all GHG emissions produced by the activities at the site. The Applicant is to provide its site GHG emissions inventory in its SSA application.Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the company e.g from combustion from boilers, furnaces, burners, turbines, heaters, incinerators, from chemical production in process equipment, and from vehicles owned by the company (refer https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Stationary_Combustion_Guidance_final_1_0.pdf) Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling The SSA Credit 2.4 – Energy and GHG Emissions Disclosure Form is mandatory Australian National Greenhouse Accounts Factors Australian Sustainability Reporting Standard – S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (voluntary) Australian Sustainability Reporting Standard – S2 Climate Related Disclosures Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance Greenhouse Gas Protocol Calculation tools Greenhouse Gas Protocol Calculation Tool for Direct Emissions from Stationary Combustion (Scope 1) | 1. Define the boundary of the sites Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. 2. Provide the sites emissions inventory. 3. Provide the sites procedure for monitoring and tracking the sites energy use and documenting how the GHG emissions are calculated 4. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 2.4 - Energy and GHG Emissions Disclosure Form, including a minimum of 12 months of site energy usage data for Scope 1 (e.g gas, diesel, petrol) and Scope 2 (electricity) emissions. The SSA Credit 2.4 Form will calculate the total annual GHG emissions and GHG emissions intensity for the product (kg CO2-e/tonne steel). Additional fuel types and emissions factors can be added if not on the list. Refer ANGAF for guidance. 5. Provide a sample of evidence (e.g at least 3 months of invoices, online energy data monitoring, BMS readings) from energy providers to validate the data entered into the SSA Credit 2.4 Form. | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 3.1 Paints and Coatings | Credit 3.1 is mandatory for SSA levels 2A, 2B and 3. Any paints and coatings applied to steel products assessed under SSA certification are applied in a way that is safe for workers and occupants of buildings. SSA Credit 3.1 - Letter of Assurance (mandatory if the steel is not painted on a building site; or if the paint is applied to steel in an area where the building occupant is not exposed to the painted elements (e.g external to the building, inside walls); or if galvanized coatings are applied to the steel. GBCA's FAQ-00332 GBCA Green Star Buildings v1 Exposure to Toxins Credit (refer to Total VOC limits table) Akzo Nobel Solvent Release Bulletin (information only) | Applicants are to use the project nominated in SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Sourcing Form as its product to meet this credit. If no paints and coatings were applied to the steel product, the Applicant is to provide a signed SSA Credit 3.1 - Letter of Assurance. If any paints and coatings are applied to the steel product, the Applicant is to address points 1 to 4 below. 1. Provide invoices for the paint purchased for the project. 2. Provide the manufacturers specifications (e.g Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet) for the paint that was applied; and 3. Provide the Applicants (or sub-contractors) procedure for paint application that aligns with manufacturers specifications, including:- WHS procedure - Provision for storage and release of painted products to ensure paint is dry prior to product leaving site. AND: 4. If the steel product was painted onsite and installed inside the building, as exposed elements, in regularly occupied areas, provide evidence of the paint VOC levels applied to the steel (e.g the paint manufacturer Technical Data Sheet) is below the GBCA Exposure to Toxins Credit limit. OR: 5. If the steel was not painted on a building site; or if the paint was applied to steel in an area where the building occupant is not exposed to the painted elements (e.g external to the building, inside walls); or if galvanized coatings were applied to the steel, the Applicant is exempt from point 4 above. Provide a signed SSA Credit 3.1 - Letter of Assurance. Applicant must still address points 1 to 3 above. | 2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 3.2 WHS Management | Credit 3.2 is mandatory for all SSA levels. A Manufacturing WHS Management system is in place to ensure workers are protected from physical, chemical and biological risks of harm. No SSA template supplied. WHS risks/hazards include but are not limited to:
| 1. Provide a current ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Certificate; OR Provide all of the following: | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 3.3 Procurement WHS | Credit 3.2 is mandatory for SSA levels 2B and 3. A Procurement WHS Assessment is undertaken to ensure suppliers are appropriately managing their WHS risks. The SSA Credit 3.3 - Procurement WHS Template is mandatory unless sufficient evidence is provided to meet the credit (for levels 2B and 3) InfraBuild Steel's evidence of supplier OHS requirements (example and can be used as evidence) Liberty Primary's evidence of supplier OHS requirements (example and can be used as evidence) BlueScope's evidence of supplier OHS requirements (example and can be used as evidence) | 1. Provide a completed SSA Credit 3.3 - Procurement WHS Template. OR 2. Provide evidence the Applicants Procurement System contains: - 95% of suppliers are identified (calculated as a percentage of total spend over a period, the Applicant can use the project identified in SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 Steel Supply Sourcing Form) - Evidence the Applicant has undertaken a due diligence assessment of safety management practices for a reasonable sample of its suppliers or an ISO 45001 Certificate or equivalent policies - Evidence suppliers have safety management practices including identifying physical, chemical and biological risks to their staff. | 2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 3.4 Modern Slavery | Credit 3.4 is mandatory for SSA levels 2B and 3. The Modern Slavery Statement must consider modern slavery risks that may be present anywhere in the Applicants global and domestic operations and supply chains. Whilst all suppliers do not need to be listed or have specific risks identified, sufficient details about the suppliers should be provided to clearly identify the products and services within the supply chain that could pose a risk of modern slavery. As a minimum, Applicants should consider risks associated with the first tier of their supply chain. SSA Credit 3.4 - Register Exemption Declaration (for Applicants that do not meet the definition of a reporting entity under Sections 5 and/or 6 of the Modern Slavery Act)Modern Slavery Act 2018 Australian Government Modern Slavery Statements Register Australian Government resources for preparing Modern Slavery Statements, including Guidance for Reporting Entities, e-Learning modules and videos, tender and contract clauses, and supplier questionnaire. | 1. Provide a risk assessment that was undertaken to assess risks of modern slavery in the supply chain, including local and international suppliers. 2. Provide a Modern Slavery Statement in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Modern Slavery Act 2018. This requirement applies to all businesses, regardless of legal obligations. The statement must include all 7 mandatory criteria for Modern Slavery Statements under Section 16 of the Act. 3. Provide evidence the Modern Slavery Statement is published on the Applicant's website 4. Provide evidence the Modern Slavery statement is published on the Australian Government Modern Slavery Statements Register, OR provide a completed SSA Credit 3.4 - Register Exemption Declaration if exempt. | 2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 4.1 Steel Supply Sourcing | Credit 4.1 is mandatory for all SSA levels. Select a project completed in the last 12 months (a Green Star project should be used if possible). The SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Sourcing Form is mandatory. This is the same form as required in Credit 2.2. SSA Verified Manufacturer list and certificates SSA Credit 4.1 - Supplier Declaration (mandatory when enacting grace period) SSA Credit 4.1 - Manufacturer Declaration (mandatory when enacting grace period) SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Supplier Declaration of Conformity (mandatory when claiming SSA certification on a given project (Green Star project or other project specifying SSA certification) EPD Australasia EPD International | 1. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 2.2 & 4.1 - Steel Supply Sourcing Form for a project completed in the last 12 months declaring all steel feedstock sourced for the project. List of all steel products purchased for the project by invoice. Identify the supplier and the crude steel mill on the Form. Identify the products that have EPDs. The project must meet the minimum 50% EPD requirement, this is calculated automatically in the Form. 2. Provide the EPDs for all semi-finished products that are declared on the Form as having EPDs. 3. Provide traceability evidence of the steel products purchased for the project (e.g provide a sample of delivery dockets, invoices, mill certificates). DO NOT upload all invoices for the project - the auditor will request additional records if required to verify the purchases. 4. Provide the SSA Verified Supplier Certificates for all steel feedstock purchased from SSA Verified Suppliers for the project. 5. For any non-SSA Verified Suppliers - provide evidence that the SSA Credit 4.1 - Supplier Declaration and SSA Credit 4.1 - Manufacturer Declaration were sent to the supplier and manufacturer (ie the 12-month grace period is enacted). | 1,2A,2B,3 |
| SSA Credit 4.2 Carbon Emissions Reduction | Credit 4.2 is mandatory for SSA level 3. The carbon emissions from manufacturing processes are reduced by at least 2% over 5 years. Reportable energy data is any energy consumed for the manufacturing process. Applicants can optionally include energy consumed for transportation to their clients site. Records must be accessible to verify a representative sample of the energy data provided in the Form. The SSA Credit 4.1 - Carbon Emissions Reduction Form is mandatory. | 1. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 4.1 - Carbon Emissions Reduction Form - enter energy data for each of the 5 years (for each energy source and each year provided in the SSA Credit 4.1 - Carbon Emissions Reduction Form). The average annual carbon emission reduction target of 0.5% per year and 2% over 5years, must be met, this is calculated automatically in the Form. 2. Provide evidence that the site is tracking its energy use and emissions e.g excel tracking spreadsheet, online energy management system. 3. Provide a sample of energy provider invoices or equivalent records. The invoices should reconcile with the data entered into the SSA Credit 4.1 - Carbon Emissions Reduction Form. The auditor will request additional records if required. 4. Provide evidence that a program is in place to continuously monitor and reduce carbon emissions e.g a corporate Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan. | 3 |
| SSA Credit 5.1 Resource Management | Credit 5.1 is mandatory for SSA level 2A, 2B and 3. A Waste Management Plan is the company's strategy and related procedures to identify, measure and reduce waste streams, it must include methods to avoid, reduce, reuse and/or recycle waste generated through the manufacturing process. The SSA Credit 5.1 - Waste Use and Reduction Form is mandatory. | 1. Provide the sites Waste Management Plan to avoid, reduce, reuse and/or recycle waste. 2. Provide a correctly completed SSA Credit 5.1 - Waste Use and Reduction Form - enter the total amount of waste generated for each waste stream at the site for a 12-month period. The waste diversion target of 80% must be met, this is calculated automatically in the Form. 3. Provide evidence that the site is tracking its monthly waste data for each waste stream (e.g monthly data tracking spreadsheet, internal report, waste contractor report). The total for the 12-month period should reconcile with the total waste data entered into the SSA Credit 5.1 - Waste Use and Reduction Form. 4. Provide a sample of invoices for each waste stream (e.g 3 x monthly invoices). The invoices should reconcile with the data in the waste tracking system and the SSA Credit 5.1 - Waste Use and Reduction Form. The auditor will request additional records if required. | 2A,2B,3 |
SSA Certification Levels