The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation on the documentary evidence that importers will have to provide to demonstrate the country in which the steel was originally melted and bottled in accordance with the new EU steel regulations.
The consultation, organized by the Directorate General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), opened on June 4, 2026 and will last until July 2, 2026.
This initiative is part of the implementation of the EU Steel Production Regulation, which will enter into force on July 1, 2026 and aims to eliminate the negative trade-related effects of the global steel production overcapacity on the European market.
A key component of the new Regulation is the introduction of "melting and casting" traceability requirements. For the practical implementation of these provisions, the Commission will adopt an implementing act defining the type of documentary evidence that importers of steel products must provide in order to demonstrate where the steel was originally smelted and cast.
The consultation is open to steel producers, steel consumers, manufacturers, importers, traders, industry associations, practicing lawyers, government agencies and other interested parties. During this event, the Commission seeks to identify the most practical, reliable and effective forms of documentation that can be used to verify the country from which steel imported into the European Union is smelted and cast.
After consultations, the Commission will analyze feedback from stakeholders as part of the preparation of the implementation act. It is expected that this measure will be adopted by August 31, 2026 and will enter into force on October 1, 2026.
The EU Steel Production Regulation sets out a new framework designed to address the effects of global steel production oversupply and increased trade reorientation towards the European market. Starting from July 1, 2026, a system of duty-free import quotas for a total of 18.3 million tons will be introduced, while imports exceeding these quotas will be subject to a duty of 50%. The regulation also introduces mandatory requirements for tracking smelting and casting to increase transparency throughout the steel supply chain.
The measure will apply to all countries of origin, with the exception of the EEA countries. However, steel products manufactured in the EEA countries will still be subject to melt and pour traceability requirements.
According to the European Commission, the Regulation is designed to ensure effective protection of the European steel industry from the negative effects of global
