Twenty-nine participants representing 19 companies gathered in Maastricht on 10 September for the EUROMETAL Steel Service Centres (SSC) Working Group meeting for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Hosted by Vogten Staal BV at Buitenplaats Vaeshartelt, the meeting was opened by Thomas Niederhofer of Knauf Interfer Stahl Service Center, Chairman of the Working Group and Vice-President of EUROMETAL, together with Jack Papen, Managing Director of Vogten Staal.
Participants discussed the growing regulatory and operational challenges facing steel service centres, including CBAM, customs requirements, quota administration, logistics, packaging rules and load securing.
EUROMETAL President Alexander M. Julius presented the federation’s current political priorities and reported on the European Convoy for Industrial Competitiveness held in Brussels on 7 September. He reiterated the need for a level playing field across the entire steel value chain, ensuring that steel-intensive manufactured products entering the European market are subject to equivalent carbon, customs and trade obligations.
The meeting also highlighted the new melt-and-pour documentation requirement taking effect on 1 October 2026. Members were encouraged to obtain the necessary evidence from their suppliers without delay.
Given the complexity of the new EU Packaging Regulation, the Working Group will organise a dedicated online session to help companies develop a shared understanding of the forthcoming obligations.
The day concluded with visits to two Vogten Staal sites in Maastricht, giving participants an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the company’s operations.
EUROMETAL thanks Vogten Staal BV for hosting the meeting and site visits, as well as all participants and speakers for their valuable contributions.
