CARES, the world’s leading steel certification authority, has suspended Asas Steel FZC’s approval following unannounced inspections that revealed major safety and traceability breaches.
Audit teams at Hamriyah Free Zone discovered billets from non-approved suppliers and inconsistencies in raw material records. Using digital tools linked to the CARES Upstream Cloud, inspectors confirmed discrepancies in Asas Steel’s traceability systems.
“Today’s decision was not taken lightly,” said Lee Brankley, CEO of CARES. “We have a duty to uphold transparency and trust in reinforcing steel certification, and we will act decisively when non-compliances are identified.”
Asas Steel has been formally notified and is barred from presenting or supplying reinforcing steel as CARES-certified until all non-conformities are resolved. The suspension may only be lifted after a full reassessment.
The move comes as the UAE enforces stricter long steel regulations, including digital product passports and full traceability for billets and rebar, to ensure compliance with safety standards under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS).
Asas Steel is a UAE-based rebar producer with a rolling mill located in the Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah.
