EU Steel Regulation: Commission Consultation on Product Scope Review — Closes 30 September
The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation on whether to extend the product scope of the EU Steel Regulation to cover cast iron tubes and pipes, non-alloy and alloy wire, stainless wire and forged bars. The consultation runs from 30 July to 30 September 2026 and Irish stakeholders are encouraged to respond.
The EU Steel Regulation 2026/1384, which addresses the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel market, entered into force on 1 July 2026. The Regulation:
- reduces overall free-of-duty quotas to 18.3 million tonnes;
- applies a 50% duty to out-of-quota imports; and
- introduces a melt-and-pour regime to enhance transparency.
The distribution of tariff quotas is based on a set of clearly defined criteria, set out in the accompanying implementing regulation.
Product Scope Review
Under Article 12.1 of the Steel Overcapacity Regulation, the Commission is required to assess whether the Regulation's product scope should be amended 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 European Commission has now launched a targeted consultation seeking stakeholder feedback on amending the product scope. The consultation seeks to gather information and views from steel producers, steel users, traders, importers, industry associations and other stakeholders, in order to identify the product groups that need to be addressed by EU measures.
Timeline
The consultation runs for eight weeks, from 30 July to 30 September 2026. Following its close, the Commission will analyse the responses as part of the product scope assessment, which it is expected to finalise by 31 December 2026.
The consultation can be accessed via the European Commission's Trade and Economic Security portal: Targeted consultation on the first product scope review under the EU Steel Regulation.
Engagement
The Trade Policy Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade encourages relevant Irish stakeholders to engage with this consultation, and has asked that this notice be circulated to relevant stakeholders. The Trade Policy Unit is available to engage further with any questions in relation to the targeted consultation.
Members with queries are welcome to contact Irish Steel directly.
