Integrated steel mills: code of practice overview

The code of practice for integrated steel mills has been in effect since December 8, 2001.

Objective

This code of practice recommends best practices to control and minimize the releases of certain toxic substances from integrated steel mills. It also recommends air emission limits and effluent quality guidelines. Substances under the code of practice include:

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• benzene
• dioxins and furans
• particulate matter
  
• other toxic substances

Target audience

The code of practice applies to the iron, steel and ilmenite sector, particularly the integrated steel mills subsector. This subsector includes all facilities that use coal and iron ore or agglomerated iron ore as raw materials to produce primary steel products. Steel production processes include:

• iron sintering
• cokemaking
• iron and steelmaking
• hot and cold forming
• coating operations
• associated production and ancillary processes and facilities

Adopting the code of practice

If the code of practice applies to your facility, you are encouraged to:

• implement best practices to reduce or limit atmospheric emissions, effluent releases and waste
• monitor releases from your facility on a regular basis using standard quantification methods

Read the code of practice

Code of practice for integrated steel mills

Reporting

The code of practice does not have reporting requirements.

Performance results to date

A third party review of the iron and steel sector conducted in 2003 indicates that there were significant decreases in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and benzene air emissions. A few facilities have implemented a pollution prevention plan.

Related information

• Code of practice to reduce fugitive emissions of TPM and VOCs from the iron, steel and ilmenite sector
• Pollution prevention planning notice for the iron, steel and ilmenite sector
  
• Summary of instruments to implement base-level industrial emission requirements (BLIERs)
  
• Code of practice for non-integrated steel mills
• Canada-wide air quality management system

Contact us

Mining and Processing Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Email: ec.mmp-tmm.ec@canada.ca