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Euractiv Events

Media Partnership - Clear Standards for Clean Steel: The Role of LESS in Developing European Lead Markets

01-10-2025

Media Partnership - Clear Standards for Clean Steel: The Role of LESS in Developing European Lead Markets

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The European Union’s ambitious climate goals demand a fundamental transition of its industrial base. As one of the most CO2-intensive industries, the steel sector stands at the forefront of this shift. Transitioning to climate neutrality presents significant challenges but also offers an opportunity for Europe to lead globally in the production of low-emission steel while contributing to the continent’s economic resilience. Achieving this vision hinges on the creation of European lead markets, requiring targeted measures to integrate low-emission steel into steel-using sectors progressively. 

The Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) represents a critical milestone. This labeling system for low-emission steel has the potential to become a game-changer, driving the establishment of lead markets for clean steel while fostering innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability throughout the value chain. 
In collaboration with our media partner Euractiv, this high-level event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, standardization bodies, and civil society to explore how robust labeling frameworks can stimulate demand for low-emission steel. Discussions will focus on the role of harmonized standards in ensuring transparency, building consumer trust, and enabling public and private procurement practices that reward climate-friendly solutions. 

Key topics include the current political landscape, the design and implementation of effective labeling systems such as LESS, and their potential to accelerate investments in breakthrough technologies. The event will also address challenges such as certification, traceability, and alignment with international markets. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of Europe’s steel industry and its pivotal role in achieving climate neutrality. 


Organised by: The Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS)
Media Partner: Euractiv

Location

Euractiv Network Office
Boulevard Charlemagne 1, 1041 Brussels

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Panellists

Kerstin Jorna, Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission

Bruno Tobback, Member of the European Parliament

Luisa Orre, Chief Business Development Officer, Stegra

Peter Bernscher, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Steel Nederland

Céline Domecq, Director Public Affairs EU, Volvo Cars Corporation

Caroline Ashley, Executive Director, SteelWatch

Moderator

Dave Keating
Euractiv

Schedule

12:00 – 12:30 Registrations of participants
12:30 – 12:35 Welcome by the moderator
12:35 – 12:40 Opening remarks by Frank Koch, CEO, Swiss Steel
12:40 – 12:50 Keynote by Dr Beate Baron, Director-General for Industrial Policy at Federal Ministry for Ecomomic Affairs and Energy, Germany
12:50 - 12:55 Scaling Impact: The strategic Outlook for LESS, Dr Carmen Ostwald, Secretery General at LESS
12:55 – 13:55 Panel discussion
13:55 – 14:00 Concluding Remarks

Followed by a light networking lunch.

Contact

Sébastien de Decker
sebastien.dedecker@euractiv.com