On 10 January 2025, EUROMETAL officially submitted its response to the European Commission as part of the ongoing functional review of the EU Safeguard Measures on Steel Imports.
This submission reflects EUROMETAL’s commitment to representing the interests of members and stakeholders in shaping policies that impact the European steel industry.
In response, the European Commission has provided important updates and clarifications on the review process:
Deadline Extension Granted
EUROMETAL raised concerns about the tight deadline for submitting questionnaires, originally set for 10 January 2025, considering the holiday season and its impact on data collection efforts. The European Commission granted a three-day extension, moving the submission deadline to 13 January 2025. This extension, while limited, provides stakeholders additional time to prepare and submit their responses. EUROMETAL encourages all members and steel users to utilize this opportunity to ensure their voices are heard.
Clarification on “Union Users”
In response to EUROMETAL’s request for clarification, the European Commission provided the following definitions:
Union Users: these are companies that use the steel products subject to the safeguard measures in their downstream production processes.
Traders, Service Centres, and Stockholders fall under the category “Interested Parties” due to their objective link with the products under investigation.
The Commission has invited all interested parties, including traders, service centers, and stockholders, to register on TRON.tdi and submit their views in the form of written submissions as outlined in Section 4.3 of the Notice of Initiation.
EUROMETAL continues to advocate for its members and the broader Steel Distribution industry. In our submission, we highlighted several key priorities:
- Extension of the Questionnaire Submission Deadline.
- Harmonization of Customs Rules Across Member States.
- Clarification on the Definition of Union Users and Interested Parties.
- Support for the Proposal to Organize a Steel Summit.
These priorities underline the critical role of steel distribution in safeguarding European manufacturing and ensuring sustainable steel supply chains.
