Functions of Steel Consumer Forum (SCF)

Steel Consumer Forum (SCF) is a national platform dedicated to protecting steel consumers and strengthening India’s iron & steel ecosystem from mine to end-customer. It combines consumer rights, legal support, quality certification, research and business promotion under one coordinated framework.

State Executive Committees

In every state, a State Executive Committee is formed to drive SCF’s work on the ground.
Composition:

  • Chairman – 1

  • Vice Chairmen – 2

  • Secretary – 1 (LLB qualified)

  • Directors – 3

This committee supervises all Boards and Councils in the state and coordinates with national-level missions and ministries.

Iron & Steel Assessment Board

The Iron & Steel Assessment Board is the technical and certification arm of SCF.
Key functions:

  • Quality Assessment Certification for iron & steel products

  • Safety and Security Assessment Certification for plants and projects

  • Low Emission Certification to promote cleaner production

  • International Standard Certification support for export-ready products

Through audits, tests and digital records, this Board ensures that consumers receive safe, reliable and globally competitive steel.

Steel Legal Authority

The Steel Legal Authority is the legal and mediation wing working for quick and fair resolution of disputes.
Its role includes:

  • Mediation between iron & steel producers and consumers

  • Providing legal aid to steel consumers, especially small buyers and MSMEs

  • Offering legal advice to both producers and consumers on contracts and redressal mechanisms

This Authority acts as a bridge so that rights are protected without long, expensive litigation.

Iron & Steel Research & Innovative Board

This Board focuses on future-ready, low‑carbon and technology‑driven steel.
Core work areas:

  • Research and innovation in iron and steel processes and products

  • Research and innovation in low‑carbon, green iron & steel technologies

  • Studying structural issues like coal dependence, logistics, energy and scrap, and proposing solutions

It also promotes digital tools such as AI, automation and digital twins to make the sector more resilient and efficient.

Iron & Steel Business Promotion Council

The Business Promotion Council is a dedicated platform for traders and steel business owners under SCF.
It works to:

  • Build a trusted network of traders who follow SCF quality and consumer norms

  • Connect producers, processors, traders and end-users in domestic and export markets

  • Share market intelligence on prices, logistics and demand so businesses can plan better

By aligning business growth with consumer protection, this Council supports a healthy and transparent market.

Mission and Working Framework (2030–2040)

SCF’s mission is to continuously de‑risk, digitize, decarbonize and globalise India’s iron & steel value chain while ensuring survivability of the ecosystem during shocks.

To achieve this, SCF works through:

  • Five permanent Councils:
    Mining & Raw Material Security, Steelmaking & Plant Operations, Digital & Industry 4.0, Decarbonization & Energy, Market & Downstream Demand

  • Cross‑cutting “War Rooms”:
    Cost Volatility, Disruption & Continuity, Technology Readiness

They operate with monthly dashboards, quarterly stress‑tests and annual reviews using tools like a national steel digital twin, unified data lake and scenario engines.