Angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed, cold-finished or further worked, of iron or non-alloy steel

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR applies to gate-to-gate foreground data packages for iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes and sections whose declared market state results from at least one cold-forming, cold-finishing or further-working operation. It covers open or solid section profiles obtained from flat-rolled feedstock or from a pre-existing iron or non-alloy steel section, provided the output remains a basic steel section rather than a fabricated structural article. The producer shall declare the incoming steel state, steel grade, section geometry, actual processing route, surface condition and dispatch condition.

The PCR excludes products that are only hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded; alloy-steel or stainless-steel sections; bars, rods, wire, sheet piling, railway track material, tubes and hollow profiles; welded sections classified as welded structural shapes rather than cold-processed sections; and plates, profiles or assemblies prepared for a specific structure. Upstream ironmaking, steelmaking and production of purchased steel feedstock are represented by qualified upstream datasets and are not recreated inside the foreground process. Installation, use, maintenance, demolition and end-of-life are outside the reference boundary.

The category boundary follows CPC 3.0 code 41262 and the corresponding HS 7216 distinctions. The CPC reference is classification context, not the canonical PCR identity. un-cpc-3-0-2025 and un-hs-2017-7216 support this semantic boundary.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-metals.angles-shapes-and-sections-cold-formed-cold-finished-or-further-worked-of-iron-or-non-a-41c0d70f
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 41262; HS 2017: 7216 product-state distinctions
covered_products	Iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes and sections that are cold-formed, cold-finished or further worked and remain basic steel sections at the factory gate
excluded_products	Hot-only sections; alloy or stainless steel sections; bars, rods and wire; sheet piling; railway track material; tubes and hollow profiles; separately classified welded sections; fabricated structural articles
representative_product	A dimensionally specified iron or non-alloy steel open section made from flat-rolled steel by cold roll forming, cut and inspected for dispatch
production_route	Declared purchased steel feedstock followed by one or more documented cold-forming, cold-finishing or further-working operations; pickling, heat treatment, surface finishing and packing are included only when performed
market_state	Finished section at the producing facility gate, with steel grade, cross-section, dimensions, surface condition, coating status, processing route and packaging state declared

3. Reference Flow

Because the final application and service life are not fixed by this product category, this is a mass-based declared unit for an intermediate steel product rather than an end-use functional unit.

Field	Value
What	Provision of a dimensionally specified iron or non-alloy steel angle, shape or section after cold-forming, cold-finishing or further working at the producing facility gate
How much	1 kg of conforming finished section, excluding packaging mass
How well	Meets the declared steel grade, section geometry, dimensional tolerance, surface condition and order or applicable product specification
How long or cycle	One production reporting period and production lot at factory gate; no use-stage service life is assigned
reference_flow_link	The reference_product output of section_manufacturing normalized to 1 kg net conforming product

Field	Value
Reference amount	1 kg
Reference product flow	Iron or non-alloy steel angle, shape or section, cold-formed, cold-finished or further worked
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	iron or non-alloy steel grade and applicable specification; section type and cross-sectional dimensions; wall or web and flange thickness as applicable; product length; incoming feedstock form and state; cold-forming, cold-finishing and further-working operations performed; heat-treatment state; surface and coating condition; facility and country or region; reporting period; product moisture or oil-film convention where relevant; packaging included or excluded from delivered mass

When constructing a foreground data package, every item in Required qualifiers shall be declared in dataset metadata, process notes, the reference-flow comment, product description or an equivalent field. Missing qualifiers make the reference-flow definition incomplete. No exact public TianGong reference-product UUID was confirmed; the unresolved reference_product row is registered in the manifest and shall not be replaced by a broader steel-product proxy.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Use net mass of conforming finished section at factory gate. Exclude pallet, wrap, paper and strapping from the reference-product mass and inventory each packaging component separately when used.
mass_normalization	all mass exchanges	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg/kg reference product	Convert reporting-period totals to kg per kg net conforming product using the same reporting-period denominator; retain unrounded source totals and conversion factors.
electricity_energy	rolling_electricity	Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66	MJ	Convert metered electricity to MJ using 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ without changing the supplier, geography, voltage, technology or delivery-boundary qualifiers.
natural_gas_volume	natural_gas_input	Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66	m3	Report gas volume at the metered reference temperature and pressure, disclose those conditions and do not combine gas volume with purchased heat or another fuel.
route_applicability	conditional exchanges	Applicable row property	row reference unit	Use not_applicable only after the producer documents that the named atomic exchange does not occur in the declared route; a missing record is not evidence of non-applicability.

5. System Boundary

The foreground starts when declared purchased steel feedstock crosses the producing facility gate and ends when the conforming section is packed as applicable and ready for dispatch. The integrated process includes receiving and handling; actual cold forming or cold finishing; cutting, straightening, sizing, punching, drilling, grinding or other further working when performed; conditional pickling, rinsing, drying and neutralization; conditional heat treatment; inspection; internal transport; on-site utility generation; waste handling; abatement; and packing. eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022 supports the conditional operation and input/output decomposition, while worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017 supports the gate-to-gate boundary and complete recording of energy, materials, wastes and emissions.

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Purchased iron or non-alloy steel flat product, hot-worked section, or same-category semi-finished section at the foreground facility gate, with mass, grade, form, surface and prior processing state declared
starting_condition_role	Foreground gate that separates purchased steel production from the incremental cold processing and further working represented by this PCR
product_classification_scope	Iron or non-alloy steel angles, shapes and sections that leave the foreground facility in a cold-formed, cold-finished or further-worked state consistent with CPC 3.0 code 41262
recursive_input_rule	When a purchased input is already in this same product category, record it once as input_same_category_section, require an upstream dataset for its incoming state, and model only the additional operations performed in the foreground; do not unfold the same PCR recursively
upstream_dataset_requirement	Use supplier-specific datasets where available, otherwise geographically and technologically representative datasets for each declared steel feedstock, electricity supply, fuel, chemical, water and packaging component; disclose dataset geography, technology, product state and reference year
disclosure	Declare facility, reporting period, steel grade, incoming feedstock route and state, included and absent operations, utility supply conditions, yield and scrap destination, abatement and wastewater route, packaging state, allocation, exclusions and any deviation from this boundary

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_gate_to_gate	foreground product system	Include every operation and ancillary service performed from receipt of purchased steel feedstock through the section ready for dispatch, including internal transport, on-site utilities, abatement, waste handling and packing when used.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
boundary_qualifying_operation	category eligibility	Confirm that at least one cold-forming, cold-finishing or further-working operation changes the incoming steel into the declared market state; a product that is only hot-worked is outside this PCR.	un-cpc-3-0-2025; un-hs-2017-7216
boundary_upstream_inputs	purchased inputs	Link each purchased steel state, electricity supply, fuel, chemical, water and packaging component to an upstream dataset matching its geography, technology and delivery state; never recreate upstream steelmaking as an unqualified generic process inside the foreground.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_cutoff	completeness	Record all energetic inputs. An excluded material flow shall be below 1% of mass, energy and environmental relevance for its unit process, and all excluded flows together shall remain below 5%; document the screening and never use cut-off to omit a hazardous or regulated release.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
boundary_downstream	excluded life-cycle stages	Exclude outbound distribution, fabrication into a specific structure, installation, use, maintenance, demolition and end-of-life unless a separately declared expanded study adds them without changing this reference flow.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
section_manufacturing	Integrated cold processing and further working of iron or non-alloy steel sections	required	Include the actual sequence from purchased feedstock receipt to conforming product ready for dispatch; individual conditional exchanges are reported only when their named operation or material occurs.	Foreground manufacturing, finishing, ancillary services, abatement, waste handling and packing	1 kg net conforming finished section at facility gate

Process: Integrated cold processing and further working (section_manufacturing)

Inputs

Product flows

Hot-rolled flat steel feedstock (input_hot_rolled_flat_steel)

Record hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel sheet, strip or coil only when it is the purchased feedstock for the declared section route. Declare grade, coating, dimensions, mass and supplier production route.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled flat product of iron or non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net received mass consumed in conforming and rejected production during the reporting period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass
• Sources: un-hs-2017-7216; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Cold-rolled flat steel feedstock (input_cold_rolled_flat_steel)

Record cold-rolled iron or non-alloy steel sheet, strip or coil only when it enters the facility as purchased feedstock for profile forming. Keep its prior cold-rolling burdens in the upstream dataset.

• Selected flow: Cold-rolled flat product of iron or non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net received mass consumed in conforming and rejected production during the reporting period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass
• Sources: un-hs-2017-7216; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Hot-worked steel section feedstock (input_hot_rolled_section)

Record a hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded iron or non-alloy steel angle, shape or section only when the foreground gives it a qualifying cold-finished or further-worked market state.

• Selected flow: Hot-rolled angle, shape or section of iron or non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net received mass consumed in conforming and rejected production during the reporting period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass
• Sources: un-cpc-3-0-2025; un-hs-2017-7216

Same-category semi-finished section input (input_same_category_section)

Record a purchased cold-processed section only when additional qualifying work is performed at the foreground site. Declare the precise incoming state and apply the recursive-input rule.

• Selected flow: Semi-finished cold-processed angle, shape or section of iron or non-alloy steel
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net received mass entering additional foreground processing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steel_mass
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Electricity at point of use (rolling_electricity)

Record alternating-current electricity consumed by production equipment, internal handling, cooling, pumps, extraction, abatement, wastewater treatment and packing within the foreground boundary. The selected flow requires declared supplier, geography, voltage, generation technology or mix and delivery boundary; no China voltage-class candidate may be substituted without those facts.

• Selected flow: Alternating current 455f0ef5-6118-4f2b-a3f5-1f75e0afe3ca
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ
• Amount rule: Metered electricity attributable to the declared product route, converted from kWh when needed
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Gaseous natural gas for on-site heating (natural_gas_input)

Record gaseous natural gas only when it crosses the foreground boundary for an identified furnace, dryer or other process-heating operation. Declare supply geography, process use and metered reference temperature and pressure.

• Selected flow: natural gas in the gaseous state 4f19ca0e-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Volume 93a60a56-a3c8-22da-a746-0800200c9a66 / m3
• Amount rule: Metered reference-condition gas volume attributable to included section production
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Mineral-oil cold-forming lubricant (cold_forming_lubricant)

Record fresh mineral-oil-based lubricant or oil-in-water emulsion concentrate added to cold-forming, rolling, grinding or cutting systems. Water added separately is recorded as process_water.

• Selected flow: Mineral-oil-based cold-forming lubricant
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Purchased make-up lubricant mass issued to the included equipment, net of returned unopened material
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_consumables
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Process water (process_water)

Record make-up water crossing the foreground boundary for lubricant emulsion, cooling, pickling-bath preparation, rinsing, cleaning or wastewater treatment. Do not count recirculated internal water as a new input.

• Selected flow: Process Water 94a04f7e-2d5c-41f0-b182-d54a3b373a02
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Metered or invoiced make-up water supplied to included operations
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_consumables
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Hydrochloric acid for pickling (hydrochloric_acid)

Record aqueous hydrochloric acid only when it is added to an included pickling or acid-cleaning operation. Report solution mass and concentration so pure-acid content can be calculated without combining it with another acid.

• Selected flow: Aqueous hydrochloric acid
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Purchased or prepared hydrochloric-acid solution mass added, with concentration recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_consumables
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Sodium hydroxide for neutralization (sodium_hydroxide)

Record aqueous sodium hydroxide only when it is consumed in on-site neutralization of acidic wastewater or spent liquor. Report solution mass and concentration separately from hydrochloric acid.

• Selected flow: Aqueous sodium hydroxide
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Sodium-hydroxide solution mass charged to the included treatment system, with concentration recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_consumables
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Steel packaging strap (steel_strapping)

Record steel strap only when consumed to secure dispatched sections. Exclude reusable strap returned to the supplier from consumption and declare the accounting treatment.

• Selected flow: Steel baling band 56fe4f71-b594-4b55-8553-c87f2516737d
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net steel strap mass consumed for dispatched conforming product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Kraft-paper wrapping (kraft_paper)

Record uncoated kraft paper only when it is consumed as product wrapping or interleaving material for dispatch.

• Selected flow: Uncoated kraft packaging paper
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net dry paper mass consumed for dispatched conforming product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Low-density polyethylene packaging film (ldpe_film)

Record low-density polyethylene film only when it is consumed for wrapping or moisture protection of dispatched sections.

• Selected flow: Low-density polyethylene foil (PE-LD) 2cecd3a7-d90e-44b4-aec5-1d9dfb907477
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net film mass consumed for dispatched conforming product
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Reusable wood pallet input (wood_pallet)

Record wood pallets only when supplied with the product or consumed through loss or damage. For a reuse pool, allocate the pallet mass over documented trips and retain the pool records.

• Selected flow: Reusable softwood pallet
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Pallet mass supplied once or documented mass loss allocated over verified reuse trips
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Conforming finished section (reference_product)

This is the reference product leaving the foreground facility after the declared cold processing, inspection and packing state. Packaging mass is excluded from this flow.

• Selected flow: Iron or non-alloy steel angle, shape or section, cold-formed, cold-finished or further worked
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Net verified mass of conforming finished section released for dispatch
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: exactly 1 kg reference product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_mass
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; un-cpc-3-0-2025

Waste flows

Segregated ferrous steel process scrap (ferrous_steel_scrap)

Record offcuts, edge trim, rejected section and captured ferrous swarf leaving the foreground as one segregated ferrous steel scrap stream. Keep internally reworked material out of both product output and exported scrap until its final disposition is known.

• Selected flow: Steel scrap 8658611f-0588-4eb7-9490-46bcd02b3c2f
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Weighed ferrous process scrap transferred to external recycling or treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022; worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

Spent cold-forming oil emulsion (spent_oil_emulsion)

Record spent oil-in-water emulsion removed from the lubricant or coolant circuit and transferred off site or to on-site treatment. Do not combine it with dry swarf or spent pickling liquor.

• Selected flow: Spent mineral-oil-in-water cold-forming emulsion
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Weighed or manifested spent emulsion leaving the recirculation system
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Spent hydrochloric-acid pickling liquor (spent_pickling_liquor)

Record spent hydrochloric-acid liquor removed from an included pickling bath for regeneration or treatment. Report acid concentration and dissolved iron content when available.

• Selected flow: Spent hydrochloric-acid pickling liquor
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Weighed or manifested spent liquor transferred from the foreground system
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Iron-hydroxide neutralization sludge (iron_hydroxide_sludge)

Record dewatered iron-hydroxide sludge only when acidic wastewater is neutralized within the foreground boundary. Keep it distinct from spent oil emulsion and pickling liquor.

• Selected flow: Dewatered iron-hydroxide wastewater-treatment sludge
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Wet sludge mass transferred from treatment, with dry-solids fraction recorded
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Elementary flows

Fossil carbon dioxide to air (fossil_co2_air)

Record direct fossil carbon dioxide from included on-site natural-gas combustion. Do not use this row for upstream electricity emissions or biogenic carbon dioxide.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measured stack mass or gas consumption multiplied by a documented site-specific fuel carbon and oxidation factor
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Hydrogen chloride to air (hydrogen_chloride_air)

Record hydrogen chloride released after the control device from an included hydrochloric-acid pickling operation. Do not combine it with other acid gases.

• Selected flow: hydrogen chloride fe0acd60-3ddc-11dd-aab0-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Stack-test, continuous-monitoring or validated pickling mass-balance result after abatement
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Nitrogen oxides to air (nitrogen_oxides_air)

Record nitrogen oxides from included on-site combustion, expressed as nitrogen dioxide mass. Do not combine this row with carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide.

• Selected flow: Nitrogen oxides to air, unspecified, as nitrogen dioxide
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measured emission mass or fuel use multiplied by a documented site-specific nitrogen-oxides factor
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Carbon monoxide to air (carbon_monoxide_air)

Record carbon monoxide from included on-site combustion as a separate elementary emission after abatement.

• Selected flow: carbon monoxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-924e-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Measured emission mass or fuel use multiplied by a documented site-specific carbon-monoxide factor
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Mineral-oil mist to air (mineral_oil_mist_air)

Record mineral-oil aerosol emitted after extraction and control from cold-forming, rolling, grinding or cutting equipment. Do not combine it with iron-bearing particulate.

• Selected flow: Mineral-oil mist to air, unspecified
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Stack-test or validated mass-balance emission mass after abatement
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

Iron-bearing particulate to air (iron_particulate_air)

Record iron-bearing particulate emitted after control from cutting, grinding or finishing. Declare the measured size fraction and do not combine it with oil mist.

• Selected flow: Iron-bearing particulate to air, unspecified size fraction
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: Stack-test or validated captured-versus-emitted mass-balance result after abatement
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg net conforming finished section
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_air_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022

No external quantitative inventory range is prescribed. Available cold-rolling observations could not be combined with a second independent, boundary-compatible source for this broader section category. The manifest records the unresolved range-evidence needs, and the foreground collection rules remain mandatory.

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivision	foreground operations	Prefer subdivision and direct meters, scales or batch records for the declared product family so allocation is avoided.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_shared_line	shared line inputs and emissions	When direct measurement is not practicable, allocate shared exchanges using a documented physical relationship that reflects causation, such as machine time, metered load or processed mass. State the driver and test a materially different plausible driver when allocation changes conclusions.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_scrap	ferrous process scrap	Treat segregated ferrous process scrap as a waste output at the foreground gate unless a documented expanded model applies a named recycling method. Do not add an end-of-life recycling credit to this gate-to-gate product and do not count internally reworked steel as both input and exported scrap.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
allocation_recovered_output	recovered non-product outputs	Treat a recovered output as a co-product only when its quantity, destination, market demand and substituted function are documented. If system expansion is used, name the substituted product, disclose functional equivalence and conduct sensitivity analysis when the result is material.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_steel_mass	section_manufacturing	each declared steel feedstock state	receiving scale, purchase and material-traceability records	feedstock item id; steel grade; form; prior processing state; supplier; origin; gross, tare and net mass; lot; destination product	reconcile calibrated scale tickets to purchase receipts and production issue records for each atomic feedstock row	kg	each receipt and production issue	same reporting period as product output, normally 12 consecutive months	all foreground production lines and storage losses serving the declared product	sum net consumed mass by feedstock row and product family; exclude inventory change not consumed	scale calibration, supplier certificate, material test certificate, purchase receipt and inventory reconciliation
cp_energy	section_manufacturing	electricity and gaseous natural gas	revenue meter, submeter and fuel invoice	meter id; opening and closing reading; kWh; gas volume; reference temperature and pressure; supplier; voltage; tariff or mix; equipment or line; downtime	use calibrated submeters where available and reconcile to facility invoices; allocate shared use only with the declared driver	kWh, MJ and m3	at least monthly and at each meter change	same reporting period as product output, normally 12 consecutive months	all included equipment, ancillary systems and internal handling	subtract documented non-foreground loads, convert electricity at 3.6 MJ/kWh and normalize by conforming output mass	meter calibration, invoices, meter hierarchy, supplier disclosure and allocation worksheet
cp_consumables	section_manufacturing	lubricant, process water, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide	item-specific issue, tank, meter, invoice and inventory records	item id; chemical identity; solution concentration; opening stock; receipts; closing stock; returned quantity; make-up water; process destination	calculate consumption separately for each named material from stock balance or calibrated meter	kg and concentration fraction	each issue or batch, reconciled monthly	same reporting period as product output	every included forming, finishing, pickling, rinsing, cooling and treatment system	opening stock plus receipts minus closing stock minus documented returns, by atomic row	calibrated tank or meter record, safety data sheet, concentration analysis, invoice and stock reconciliation
cp_packaging	section_manufacturing	steel strap, kraft paper, LDPE film and reusable wood pallets	packaging issue and dispatch records	packaging item id; material; unit mass; quantity issued; quantity returned; damaged quantity; reuse-pool trips; dispatched product mass	weigh representative units and reconcile item-specific issues to dispatch records	kg and item count	each dispatch batch, reconciled monthly	same reporting period as product output	packaging used for the declared product at the foreground facility	calculate each material mass separately; for pallets use measured pallet mass divided by verified trips only when a documented reuse pool exists	unit-weight checks, issue records, dispatch records, return logs and reuse-pool register
cp_product_mass	section_manufacturing	conforming finished section	calibrated product scale, piece count and dimensional record	product id; grade; cross-section; length; piece count; unit mass basis; measured net mass; rejected mass; release status; packaging tare	determine net conforming mass from calibrated scale records or verified piece count times measured unit mass, excluding packaging	kg	each production or dispatch lot	same reporting period as all inputs and outputs	all conforming lots represented by the dataset	sum released net mass after subtracting packaging tare and rejected product	scale calibration, dimensional inspection, release certificate, count reconciliation and packaging tare record
cp_waste	section_manufacturing	each segregated waste stream	waste scale, tank transfer, laboratory and manifest records	waste row id; gross, tare and net mass; liquid concentration or sludge dry solids; origin process; destination; treatment code; internal rework quantity	weigh or meter each named waste separately and reconcile storage change and manifests	kg	each transfer, reconciled monthly	same reporting period as product output	all included production, abatement and wastewater systems	generated waste equals transfers plus closing stock minus opening stock, adjusted for documented internal rework	calibrated scale or tank, waste manifest, laboratory analysis, recycler receipt and storage reconciliation
cp_air_emissions	section_manufacturing	each direct elementary air emission	continuous monitor, stack test or species-specific calculation record	source id; pollutant species; concentration; flow; operating time; fuel use; fuel carbon content; oxidation factor; control efficiency; test method; detection limit	use measured mass where available; otherwise calculate one species at a time from verified site-specific activity data and factor	kg emission and supporting measurement units	continuous where required or each representative test campaign, reconciled to operating hours	same reporting period as product output and representative operating conditions	every included combustion, pickling, forming, grinding and abatement source	integrate measured mass or multiply verified activity by the species-specific site factor; never reuse an upstream electricity emission here	monitor calibration, accredited test report, fuel certificate, operating log, factor provenance and abatement record

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_normalization	every inventory row	normalized amount = reporting-period row amount / reporting-period net conforming finished-section mass	row total from its collection protocol; reference_product net mass	amount per 1 kg reference product	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_steel_mass_balance	steel-bearing rows	reconcile total steel feedstock mass with conforming product, ferrous scrap, retained inventory change and other separately measured steel-bearing outputs; explain every residual rather than forcing balance	steel input rows; reference_product; ferrous_steel_scrap; inventory change	documented steel mass-balance residual	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_shared_exchange	shared meters and common batches	allocated exchange = shared total × declared causal driver for this product / sum of the same driver for all products served	shared total; machine time, metered load or processed mass by product	product-attributed exchange	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
calc_fossil_co2	fossil_co2_air	use directly measured fossil CO2 mass; if unavailable, calculate from metered natural gas and a documented site-specific carbon content and oxidation factor with consistent units	natural-gas record; carbon-content certificate; oxidation evidence or stack measurement	kg fossil CO2 emitted
calc_reusable_pallet	wood_pallet	allocated pallet mass = measured pallet mass × pallets lost or supplied / conforming product mass, or measured pallet mass / verified reuse trips when pool accounting demonstrates those trips	pallet unit mass; issue, return, loss and trip records; product mass	kg pallet input per kg product

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	product and steel feedstock	Preserve steel grade, material certificate, feedstock state, section geometry, route, surface state and product release linkage from incoming lot to output lot.	material certificates, route cards, inspection and release records
dq_temporal	all foreground data	Use one representative 12-month period when practicable. If a shorter period is unavoidable, state and justify it and account for maintenance, campaign, seasonal and product-mix effects.	reporting calendar, production log and representativeness assessment supported by worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
dq_geography_technology	upstream links and utilities	Match upstream steel, electricity, fuel and consumable datasets to actual supply geography, technology and delivery state; document every proxy and why it is the closest available dataset.	supplier declaration, dataset metadata and proxy review
dq_measurement	meters, scales and tests	Retain calibration status, resolution, test method, detection limit and uncertainty or accuracy statement for material measurements. Prefer measured over calculated and calculated over estimated values.	calibration certificates, laboratory reports and meter register
dq_completeness	all included operations	Reconcile material, energy, product, waste and direct-emission records across the same facility and period, and document the cut-off screen and all exclusions.	mass balance, invoice reconciliation, meter hierarchy, waste manifests and exclusion register
dq_uuid_status	TianGong flow identity	Keep unresolved UUID cells blank until hybrid discovery and a public state-code 100 direct read confirm semantic identity, flow type, classification, property, unit group, product state, geography, technology and comment.	manifest unresolved register and direct-read audit record

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validation_identity	reference product	Reject a data package that omits steel grade, section geometry and dimensions, incoming feedstock state, qualifying cold or further-working operation, surface state, facility geography or reporting period.	un-cpc-3-0-2025; un-hs-2017-7216
validation_reference_mass	reference flow	Confirm that the reference output is exactly 1 kg net conforming section after normalization and that packaging tare is excluded from product mass but each consumed packaging component is inventoried separately.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validation_route_rows	conditional inventory rows	For every absent conditional row, require evidence that its named operation or material is absent. Reject blank values or missing records presented as not_applicable.	eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validation_balance	steel-bearing inventory	Recalculate the steel mass balance using unrounded reporting-period totals and require an explanation for every discrepancy, inventory change, internal rework and rejected output.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validation_energy_and_emissions	utilities and direct emissions	Reconcile electricity and natural gas with invoices and meter hierarchy; ensure direct emissions are restricted to foreground sources and that fossil CO2 is not duplicated from upstream electricity.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017; eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022
validation_allocation	shared production	Verify subdivision first, reproduce the declared physical allocation calculation, and require sensitivity analysis when another plausible driver materially changes results.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validation_recursive_input	same-category input	Verify that a purchased same-category section has one qualified upstream dataset and that only incremental site operations are represented, with no recursive expansion of this PCR.	worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017
validation_uuid	UUID-bearing rows	Accept only UUIDs supported by a finalized hybrid-search receipt and public state-code 100 direct reads. Keep every non-adopted candidate from the receipts used for an inventory row rejected unless new route facts establish an exact semantic match and a new audit is completed.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Foreground production package that may be reviewed and published as a secondary_dataset or background_dataset for the declared section route
downstream_use	Product-system modelling of cold-formed, cold-finished or further-worked iron or non-alloy steel sections when product state, geography, technology and boundary match
allowed_use	Cradle-to-gate models after adding qualified upstream datasets; comparative internal scenarios with an identical reference flow, boundary and allocation method; supply-chain screening with disclosed unresolved flow identities
excluded_use	Direct substitution for hot-only, alloy-steel, stainless-steel, hollow-section, welded structural-section or fabricated-structure datasets; use-stage performance comparisons without an application-specific functional unit; undisclosed geographic or technology proxies
required_metadata	canonical PCR id; product and feedstock qualifiers; facility geography; reporting period; process route and operation flags; reference mass convention; upstream dataset identities; utility supply qualifiers; allocation driver; cut-off screen; waste destinations; unresolved UUID register
required_quality_disclosure	primary-data coverage; measurement and calculation shares; calibration and uncertainty evidence; mass-balance residual; allocation sensitivity; temporal, geographic and technological representativeness; exclusions and proxies; flow-UUID audit status
update_trigger	Change in steel feedstock state or supplier route, section family, cold-processing technology, heat treatment, surface treatment, coating, energy supply, abatement, waste destination, allocation driver, facility geography, or reporting data older than the declared representativeness period

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
un-cpc-3-0-2025	Official guidance (official_guidance)	United Nations Statistics Division, Central Product Classification Version 3.0 Structure and Explanatory Notes, 30 June 2025, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Exp_Notes_30Jun2025.pdf	Official CPC 41262 identity, neighboring-category exclusions and product-state boundary
un-hs-2017-7216	Official guidance (official_guidance)	United Nations Statistics Division, HS 2017, heading 7216 classification detail, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Structure/Detail/EN/2089/7216	Distinguishing flat-product-derived and other cold-formed or cold-finished iron or non-alloy steel sections from hot-only states
eu-jrc-fmp-bref-2022	Official guidance (official_guidance)	European Commission Joint Research Centre, Best Available Techniques Reference Document for the Ferrous Metals Processing Industry, December 2022, https://bureau-industrial-transformation.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-12/FMP%20BREF_Final%20Version.pdf	Conditional cold-processing steps, finishing, pickling, water, oil, energy, wastewater, wastes and direct-emission inventory coverage
worldsteel-lci-methodology-2017	Method factor (method_factor)	World Steel Association, Life Cycle Inventory Methodology Report, 2017, https://worldsteel.org/media/publications/lci-report-2017-pdf/?do_download_id=7f96813a-3756-4842-8dbc-38ce201f2914	1 kg declared unit, gate-to-gate boundary, upstream dataset matching, data period and quality, completeness, mass balance, allocation and scrap treatment