BCSA members report no structural steel imports from Kobe Steel

The British Constructional Steelwork Association [BCSA] has reassured its membership that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the UK steel construction sector against materials with falsified data.

The BCSA was responding to a number of inquiries from both public and private clients expressing concern over the falsification of data by Kobe Steel and the effect that this may have on the UK steel construction industry.

“There is very little to worry about,” said BCSA Director of Engineering Dr David Moore. “With CE Marking and the BCSA’s ‘Model Specification for the Purchase of Structural Steel Sections Plates and Bars’ it is very difficult for these types of materials to enter the UK market.”

The falsification of data affects about 20,000t of material put on the market by Kobe Steel between January 2017 and the end of August 2017 and is limited to the following materials:

• Aluminium
• Copper
• Steel powder
• Steel wire

Kobe Steel also manufactures steel plate although there is no suggestion that the falsification affects these products.

To reassure clients, members and the wider UK construction industry BCSA asked all of its steel stockholder members to check their records and confirm whether or not steel products from Kobe Steel have been placed on the UK construction market.

Following this, the BCSA has confirmed that none of its stockholders have supplied Kobe Steel products to the UK market during the period January 2017 to end of August 2017.

The introduction of mandatory CE Marking in July 2013 together with the factory production control, improved traceability systems and 3^rd party inspection by Notified Bodies adopted by steelwork contractors makes it more difficult for materials with falsified data to enter and remain in the supply chain.