Suspended steelmaker's CARES Approval reinstated

ASAS Steel FZC, the company suspended for CARES Approval after spot checks found serious  breaches, has now been advised that its application for reinstatement is successful.

Auditors swiftly conducted follow-up investigations after discrepancies were discovered last month. A dispensation for certain materials to be shipped under strict conditions was granted.

Now, a full re-assessment of ASAS Steel’s processes has been completed and a report issued by CARES’ audit team. After a detailed review, a report assessment concluded that the company’s reinstatement for CARES Approval in accordance with CARES Steel for the Reinforcement of Concrete (SRC) Scheme is granted – subject to stringent conditions.

These include ASAS Steel FZC committing to conduct its operations in line with the SRC Scheme, and that any quarantined materials held as a result of the original unannounced investigation are not moved without CARES’ explicit approval.

Other conditions include commitments from the company for future dispatch information to be subject to ongoing CARES audit activity – initially fortnightly, then quarterly surveillance audits will be carried out over the next 12 months plus frequent unannounced spot checks.

“We have taken this decision on the basis of the re-assessment we have conducted and recognising this company’s readiness to acknowledge CARES’ findings of serious breaches,” said CARES Chief Executive Officer Lee Brankley.

“CARES also recognises the serious impact suspension has on any enterprise, particularly in a commercially challenging and fast-moving market across the Middle East,” he added.

CARES sector leading digital technology found anomalies during inspections at the UAE’s Hamriyah Free Zone. Further investigations, via data uploads from the CARES Upstream Cloud, identified discrepancies. Suspension followed the discovery of non-conformities.

Under the terms of its reinstatement ASAS Steel FZC has been warned that CARES reserves the right to withdraw certification in the event of any further major infringements.