Both firms have signed steel trade body UK Steel’s Charter for British Sustainable Steel, which commits the contractors to using responsibly sourced eco-reinforcement steel – BES 6001 accredited – to help support British industry.

The Charter was launched earlier this year and has been welcomed by the UK Government as concerns grow about the widespread use of Chinese rebar.

Using BES 6001 accredited materials increases certainty that rebar has been responsibly sourced with traceability back to raw materials and throughout the supply chain. Several suppliers in Spain and Portugal are also signed up to the responsible sourcing code.

In contrast, some Chinese rebar imported into the UK has had deliberate additions of certain elements like chromium and boron in order to qualify for Chinese Government rebate because it classifies the steel as an alloy.

UK Steel claims that this method presents potentially dangerous risks during construction because different welding techniques are required but the steel is not alway identified as being a different composition.

At present many construction companies are not aware of this problem and are therefore not able to take the necessary precautions to ensure safe construction.

This Charter comes at a moment when more organisations in the supply chain are looking not just for reassurance of product conformity to minimum standards but for guarantees of sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Dr Paul Toyne, Director of Sustainability at Balfour Beatty, said: “Balfour Beatty is committing to using high-quality steel which is sustainably and ethically produced and meets the BES6001 standard.

“This is another step towards driving resource efficiency within our industry, focussing attention on ways to use materials more sustainably, with less environmental impacts, lowering costs for ourselves and our customers, and building strong relationships with our local suppliers.”

Gareth Stace, Director at UK Steel, said: “We’re delighted that British organisations are leading the way in supporting the British steel industry. British-made steel is high quality and sustainably produced.

“Signing our Charter will help safeguard the future of the vibrant British steel industry and we should be proud to support the use of British sustainable steel.”