BIR cautions that the European Commission’s proposed steel safeguard could undermine recycling sector competitiveness and weaken circular economy goals. While the plan does not impose scrap export restrictions, a new monitoring regime could set the stage for future trade limits.
The organization stresses that recycled materials are central to decarbonizing the metals industry and should be treated as strategic resources. Instead of trade barriers, BIR points to mechanisms such as recycled content targets, green public procurement, and incentives to stimulate demand for recycled steel.
Under the draft regulation, tariff-free steel imports would be capped at 18.3 mln tons annually, a 47pct cut from 2024 levels, with out-of-quota duties doubled to 50pct and a melt and pour traceability rule introduced. If adopted, the regulation will replace the EU’s current safeguard when it expires in June 2026.
