Sustainability ratings and index firm RepuTex has announced an international 'A' rating for Baoshan Iron & Steel Company Limited China's largest iron and steel maker. The rating reflects the company's satisfactory progress in the development of effective sustainability practices.

According to the release Baoshan's 'A' rating places it in the top 7% of companies globally and in the top 3% of companies in the China market. The rating reflects RepuTex's view that Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd has implemented positive controls to address key risks in its corporate governance systems, including risk management and audit committees along with environmental protection and health and safety.

Ms Martha Grossman General Manager of RepuTex China said "Our rating on Baosteel reflects the on-going development of the company's risk management practices and its management focus on systems to address key risk areas. She said that "The Company has established dedicated strategies to address strategic planning, environmental protection and audit. She added that these strategies are backed by policy and systems, as well as compliance and oversight processes."

Ms Grossman also expressed the view that Baosteel is well positioned to face a range of new challenges as market pressure continues to rise with respect to reduced carbon emissions. She said that "Negative impacts may materialize through higher costs of energy, raw materials and technology, likewise opportunities present if the company can continue to innovate and develop new markets. Baosteel's 'A' rating provides assurance to local and international markets that it is actively working towards that end."

A RepuTex Rating is an independent assessment of a company's capacity to address sustainability risks according to governance, environment, social and workplace factors.