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Towards an EU Product Policy Framework contributing to the circular economy
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The European steel industry welcomes the development of a coherent product policy framework that supports a circular economy and sustainability, giving full recognition to materials fit for circularity and supporting sustainable outcomes. We are at a critical stage in which EU product policy can be shaped to fully support the development of a more Circular Economy. It is therefore essential to have the right founding principles from the very beginning.
The use of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, when thoroughly peer-reviewed, should be widely supported as a means of quantifying the environmental impacts of products. For instance, a consistent LCA methodology is needed for preparing background studies, which are used to inform policy, such as in Ecodesign and Eco-label. As a voluntary assessment tool, the EC shall however, ensure a level playing field for environmental claims communicated by harmonising methodology.
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Brussels, 16 May 2024 – The initiation of a new anti-dumping investigation on imports of tinplated steel products from China announced today by the European Commission is an important step towards restoring a level playing field for the EU producers, says the European Steel Association welcoming the opening of the procedure.
Brussels, 07 May 2024 – The European Commission has today published two Regulations extending the anti-dumping and countervailing measures in force on imports of stainless steel cold-rolled flat products (SSCR) originating in Indonesia to imports of SSCR from Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam. EUROFER welcomes the extension of the duties and the introduction of import requirements connected to strict monitoring of imports.
The outlook for the European steel market in 2024 continues to lose momentum amidst persisting challenging conditions. Downside factors such as worsening geopolitical tensions, coupled with growing economic uncertainty, energy prices, inflation, interest rates have further impacted demand prospects. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, these challenges have exacerbated the negative effects on apparent steel consumption, resulting in a more severe downturn in 2023 than previously projected (-9%, instead of -6.3%) and weaker growth in 2024 (+3.2%, instead of +5.6%). Output in steel-using sectors, despite showing more resilience than expected in the past year (+1.1%), is now set to decline (-1%). Imports are once again on the rise (+11% in the last quarter of 2023), capturing a staggering 27% market share throughout 2023.