10/13/2019 Designation under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing : Iron and steel slag products : NIPPON SLAG ASSOCIATION

Many iron and steel slag products have been highly rated for their superior environmental performance
and record of use over many years, and have been included as "designated procurement items"
(products that contribute to reducing environmental impact) for public works under the Law Concerning
the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities
(Green Purchasing Law) which took effect in 2001. Based on Law on Promoting Green Purchasing,
national and local governments are actively working for procurement of these materials, and they are
being utilized effectively as materials for civil engineering works in all parts of Japan. As a result,
approximately 70% of all iron and steel slag products sold domestically in fiscal year 2007 were used in
products that are designated procurement items.

1. List of products involving iron and steel slag that are designated
under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing for public works

Designated procurement
Judgment standard Environmental benefits
item

Blast furnace cement Portland blast furnace slag cement Conserves limestone
(designated in FY 2001) using more than 30% blast furnace resources.
Saves energy.
slag Reduces CO2 emissions.

Blast furnace slag aggregate
(designated in FY2002)
Blast furnace slag aggregate used
as a replacement for natural sand
(beach sand, mountain sand),
natural gravel, manufactured sand,
or crushed stone
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces the amount of
fossil fuels used in stone
crushing, and reduces CO2
emissions.

Base course material Iron and steel slag used as road Protects the natural
environment.
containing iron and steel slag base course material
(designated in FY 2002)

Asphalt mixture containing
iron and steel slag
(designated in FY 2002)
Road iron and steel slag aggregate
used in hot asphalt
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces the amount of
fossil fuels used in stone
crushing, and reduces CO2
emissions.

Rock wool utilizing iron and Rock wool using 85% or more iron Saves energy due to high
steel slag as a raw material and steel slag thermal insulation effects.
Replaces asbestos material.
(designated in FY 2002)

Granulated slag for civil
engineering works
(designated in FY 2003)
Granulated slag for civil engineering
works used as a replacement for
natural sand (beach sand, mountain
sand), natural gravel, manufactured
sand, or crushed stone
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces the amount of
fossil fuels used in stone
crushing, and reduces CO2
emissions.

Steelmaking slag for ground
improvement (designated in
FY 2004)
Steelmaking slag used as a
replacement for natural materials
(beach sand, mountain sand) in
sand compaction pile work
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces the amount of fuel
used in stone crushing, and
reduces CO2 emissions.

Electric arc furnace oxidizing
slag aggregate for use in
concrete (designated in FY
2005)
Electric arc furnace slag aggregate
used as a replacement for natural
sand (beach sand, mountain sand),
natural gravel, manufactured sand,
or crushed stone
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces the amount of
fossil fuels used for
transporting aggregate and
working with heavy
concrete, and reduces CO2
emissions.

Iron and steel slag hydrated
matrix (designated in FY
2008)
Aggregate that uses 50% or more
steelmaking slag by weight, and
that uses ground granulated blast
furnace slag in the binder
Protects the natural
environment.
Reduces CO2 emissions by
reducing the amount of
cement used.
Cleans the oceans and
absorbs CO2 as a result of
the excellent base it makes
for attached marine life
such as seaweed and
shellfish.

www.slg.jp/e/slag/green/index.html 1/2
10/13/2019 Designation under Law on Promoting Green Purchasing : Iron and steel slag products : NIPPON SLAG ASSOCIATION
About green purchasing

Green purchasing is the name given to programs that promote environmental consideration in the
procurement of supplies.
These programs have been launched by the United Nations and by public agencies in many countries.
In Japan, the Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the
State and Other Entities (Green Purchasing Law) was enacted in April 2001.

The national government organizes, analyzes, and provides information related to environmental
products. It also establishes types of environmental products and criteria standards, and designates
products that meet these standards as designated procurement items.

Green purchasing is mandatory for the national government and independent administrative
corporations.
Basic policies related to procurement of environmental products must be formulated by the national
government and other bodies.
The creation of objectives for purchasing of environmental products is also mandatory.
Public disclosure of the general procurement results is required.
Local public agencies are also required to make efforts to promote the procurement of environmental
products (formulation of policies, establishment of objectives, etc.).

For companies, the requirements of the ISO14001 environmental management system include matters
related to green purchasing, and are promoting green purchasing among organizations that have
acquired ISO14001.

Copyright (C) 2003 Nippon Slag Association All Rights Reserved.

www.slg.jp/e/slag/green/index.html 2/2