While the EU is considered one of the most open and transparent procurement markets in the world, this is often not reciprocated by the EU’s trading partners. This is creating a growing lack of level-playing field in world procurement markets, as third countries are increasingly restricting access to their markets while their companies are winning significant contracts in the EU, sometimes even on unfair pricing terms or by challenging EU public procurement rules.
In 2012, the Commission proposed the creation of an International Procurement Instrument (IPI). After a legislative deadlock, the Commission presented a revised proposal in 2016. In March 2019, in the context of a review of relations with China, the Commission called on the Council and Parliament to revive the trilogues based on the revised proposal, and adopt the IPI before the end of 2019.
In the light of the revival of the discussions on the 2016 proposal, EUROFER would like to highlight its support to the International Procurement Instrument and urge the European institutions to reach an agreement in the shortest possible timeframe to ensure new market openings for European companies and a level playing field in both the EU and third countries’ markets.
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Brussels, 07 December 2023 – The inclusion of transformative industrial technologies for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors, such as steel, in the list of net-zero technologies in the general approach adopted by the Council on the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), sends a positive signal at a crucial time when governments are deliberating urgent measures to protect the climate at COP28 in Dubai. Parliament and Council should now seize the opportunity to reach an ambitious agreement to promote EU-made green products in public auctions of net-zero technologies and to drive Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) in Europe. Promoting lead markets and CCUS are essential tools for sustaining the transition to low-carbon steelmaking, says the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 01 December 2023 – Further delays in implementing EU sanctions against Russian steel semifinished products would have a perverse effect, ultimately fuelling Putin’s war machine against Ukraine. The EU Council should reject additional exemption requests from a few member states defending the lucrative business model of few steel rerollers. The trade dynamic that takes advantage of cheap steel imported from Russia while aiding the supply to its military and related downstream sectors must come to an end, states the European Steel Association.
Industriall & EUROFER joint statement