Non-Integrated steel mills: code of practice overview

The code of practice for non-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 to the air, soil and water from non-integrated steel mills. It also recommends air emission limits and effluent quality guidelines. Substances under the code of practice include:

• particulate matter
• chlorinated substances
• other toxic substances

Target audience

The code of practice applies to the iron, steel and ilmenite sector, particularly the non-integrated steel mills subsector. This subsector includes all facilities that use scrap steel and direct reduced iron as raw materials to produce primary steel products. Steel production processes include:

• electric arc furnace steelmaking
• continuous casting
• hot rolling
• cold rolling and finishing (in some plants)

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 non-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 (2003) indicated that the degree of implementation of the code of practice recommendations varied substantially across the non-integrated mills. A few facilities had implemented a pollution prevention plan.

Related information

• Code of practice to reduce emissions of TPM and VOCs from the iron, steel and ilmenite sector
• Pollution planning notice for the iron, steel and ilmenite sector
• Summary of instruments to implement base-level industrial emission requirements (BLIERs)
• Code of practice for 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