This infographic shows why the EU needs the EU steel safeguard - and why it needs to work. Steel is an intensively traded product in a market suffering from significant global overcapacity. This is affecting the financial and economic sustainability of the steel sector.
The safeguards are a justified trade policy response to import surges caused by external factors. The quota itself is based on the average volume data from 2015-2017. The quota increased by 5% in February 2019 and is schedule to increase by another 5% in July 2019. This expansion of the quota size is independent of the growth of the overall EU steel market.
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Brussels, 16 September 2026 - Europe’s steel industry has welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s focus on competitiveness, affordable energy and a level playing field, saying these conditions were vital to keep industrial investment and production in Europe.
Ahead of today’s European Parliament vote on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Europe’s steel industry is calling on MEPs to close remaining loopholes and secure a level playing field for European steelmakers investing billions in low-carbon production.
Steel in Action 2026
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
