Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of Less aisbl, commented on the change in roles: “First, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Dr. Martin Theuringer for his tireless commitment to Less over the past years. From developing and introducing the Low Emission Steel Standard to achieving its recognition as an internationally respected benchmark with a growing European membership, Martin Theuringer's dedication and leadership have played a significant role in the setup of Less.

 At the same time, I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Carmen Ostwald as Secretary General. With her in-depth understanding of the European steel industry and her strong reputation and connections, she is the ideal person to advance the Low Emission Steel Standard. Under her leadership, we are confident that Less will consolidate its position as the clean steel benchmark in Europe. I wish her every success in this role.”

 In her first statement as Secretary General, Dr. Carmen Ostwald shared her enthusiasm for the new role: “I am honoured to take on this exciting role as Secretary General of Less aisbl and to promote sustainable innovation in the steel industry. Turning clean steel made in Europe into reality requires a reliable and transparent standard. I am committed to strengthening the recognition of Less among steel producers, consumer sectors, and policymakers. Together, we will lay the foundation for lead markets for low-emission steel.”

 Martin Theuringer looks back with pride on what has been achieved: "At the German Steel Association, we have worked tirelessly with our member companies over the past few years to get the Low Emission Steel Standard off the ground, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to all colleagues involved. I am now delighted that the next steps towards Europeanisation are being taken. Carmen Ostwald is exactly the right person for this task, and I wish her every success and all the best."

 As Secretary General, Ostwald will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the strategic vision of Less aisbl. Her responsibilities include expanding membership across the steel value chain and fostering collaboration with industry, government, and standardisation bodies. The ultimate aim is to establish Less as a recognised benchmark in public and private procurement – making it easier for consumers to identify and trust low emission steel based on a transparent and credible standard.

Less aisbl
58, Rue de Bourgogne
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Contact person is Carmen Ostwald
info@less-aisbl.org
www.lowemissionsteelstandard.org

About Less aisbl
Founded in autumn 2024 by 21 founding members representing the full breadth of the German steel industry, Less aisbl was established in Brussels with the ambition to become the go-to standard for labelling and verifying low-emission steel within the European Union. The standard is built on the outcomes of a stakeholder process on lead markets conducted by the German Ministry for Economics and Climate Action. The Low Emission Steel Standard (Less) provides a structured framework for assessing, classifying, labelling and verifying low-emission steel. Less allows steel producers to demonstrate and verify their decarbonisation progress in a transparent and comparable manner, using a certification system for low- and near-zero emission steel. Less aisbl is a non-profit association based in Brussels and the system owner of the standard. Less aisbl currently represents European steel producers covering almost one third of EU crude steel production. Membership includes primary and secondary steel producers.

www.lowemissionsteelstandard.org