EU Steel Regulation 2026/1384 addresses negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel market and entered into force on 1 July. Under Article 12.1, the Commission is required to assess the necessity of amending the Regulation’s product scope to include products in the following categories:
- Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron;
- Non-alloy and other alloy wire;
- Stainless wire, and;
- Non-alloy and other alloy forged bars.
The public consultation seeks to gather information and views from steel producers, steel users, traders, importers, industry associations, and other stakeholders to identify the product groups that need to be addressed by EU measures. The consultation will run for eight weeks from 28 July to 28 September 2026.
Following the consultation, the Commission will analyse the responses as part of the product scope assessment, which the Commission should finalise by 31 December 2026.
Background
The EU Steel Regulation, in place since 1 July 2026, sets free-of-duty quotas to 18.3 million tons, with a 50% duty for out-of-quota imports and a melt-and-pour regime to enhance transparency. The distribution of tariff quotas is based on a set of clearly defined criteria in the Regulation. It ensures a predictable level of access to the EU market for third-country suppliers through a fair and objective methodology, ensuring diversity of supply for EU downstream users.
The Steel Regulation will ensure highly effective protection for the EU’s steel industry against the effects of global overcapacity, contributing to its long-term viability and sustainability. Such a measure was necessary in view of the unsustainable level of global overcapacity and the growing amount of trade restrictive measures in third countries, resulting in trade diversion into the EU market.
