ISO 14404-2:2024

Overview

ISO 14404-2:2024 specifies standardized calculation methods for evaluating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission intensity from iron and steel production at plants operating electric arc furnaces (EAF). Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard applies to facilities primarily producing carbon steel using EAF technology. The document defines the boundaries for emission accounting, material and energy flow, and introduces calculation principles for direct, upstream, and credit emissions. By adopting this methodology, steel producers can consistently determine annual site-attributable CO₂ emissions and emission factors per unit of steel produced, supporting accurate environmental reporting and decarbonization strategies.

Key Topics

• Boundary Definition: ISO 14404-2:2024 provides clear criteria for delineating which facilities and processes are included in emission calculations, ensuring consistency and transparency.
• Emission Classifications: Emissions are categorized as direct (within the site), upstream (linked to imported materials, energy, and outsourced activities), or credit (related to exported materials or energy).
• Material and Energy Flows: The standard sets out required data collection for all relevant raw materials, fuels, auxiliary materials, and energy carriers, as well as recording of outputs leaving the boundary.
• Calculation Principles: Emphasizes relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy, and transparency. Calculations utilize emission factors and annual steel production data to determine total CO₂ emissions and emission intensity.
• Annex Guidance: Annex A provides informative guidance on converting CO₂ emissions data to energy consumption figures and efficiency metrics, enhancing value for energy management and benchmarking.

Applications

• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to ISO 14404-2:2024 enables steelmakers to demonstrate compliance with global regulations and national climate targets related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Benchmarking and Reporting: The standard supports site-level benchmarking and contributes reliable data for corporate or industry-wide GHG reporting frameworks, including ISO 14064 and initiatives led by the World Steel Association.
• Decarbonization Planning: By precisely measuring and tracking carbon dioxide emission intensity, steel producers can identify improvement opportunities, monitor progress, and support long-term decarbonization initiatives.
• Procurement and Supply Chain: Clear definitions of upstream and credit emissions enable more accurate assessment of emissions performance across value chains, especially when comparing multiple EAF sites or integrating supply chain partners.
• Voluntary and Mandatory Disclosures: The methodology's transparency and universality support both voluntary sustainability disclosures and mandatory reporting requirements.

Related Standards

• ISO 14404-1: Calculation method of carbon dioxide emission intensity for blast furnace steel plants.
• ISO 14404-3: Calculation method for direct reduced iron (DRI) steel plants.
• ISO 14064-1: Greenhouse gases - Part 1: Specification for organizational and project-level quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and removals.
• World Steel Association “CO2 Emissions Data Collection User Guide”: Foundational reference for the ISO 14404 series methodology.
• ISO 14404-4: Additional methodological guidance for steel industry GHG emissions.

Practical Value

ISO 14404-2:2024 delivers a harmonized, globally recognized framework for quantifying CO₂ emissions specific to electric arc furnace steelmaking. Its use simplifies environmental performance evaluation, facilitates GHG reduction strategy tracking, and ensures data comparability between different plants and regions. The standard's clarity in boundary setting, emission categorization, and calculation fosters trust among stakeholders and supports the steel industry’s broader transition toward low-carbon operations. By enabling efficient, accurate, and transparent reporting on carbon intensity, ISO 14404-2:2024 is an essential tool for modern steel producers committed to sustainability and responsible production.