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, 25 March 2026 - The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has warned that the latest OECD data released in Paris today confirms a deepening global steel crisis and urged the EU to act swiftly to adopt its new steel trade measure.
The new Waste Shipment Regulation entered into force on 20 May 2024, with most of its provisions—including critical operational requirements—set to apply from 21 May 2026.
Brussels 20 March 2026 - The European Steel Association (EUROFER) welcomes the European Council conclusions adopted 19 March that recognises affordable energy is essential to competitiveness, decarbonisation ambitions and Europe’s industrial future. However, the steel sector warns that unless the response measures are designed and implemented effectively, they risk falling short of delivering both immediate relief and the structural changes needed to protect Europe’s industrial base.
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
