The European Union will implement new steel industry regulations starting July 1, 2026. This framework replaces the previous safeguard system with a new tariff-rate quota structure.
The policy establishes an annual tariff-free import limit of 18.3 million metric tons across 26 product categories. Any imports exceeding this volume will trigger a 50% tariff, doubling the previous 25% rate.
A new "melt and pour" traceability requirement will strictly identify the steel's country of origin. To ensure supply diversity, the EU is reserving 50% of the tariff-free quota for free-trade agreement partners.
These measures aim to support European producers currently struggling with low capacity utilization. The regulation seeks to stabilize the internal market against global overcapacity and price distortions.