The European Commission has officially published Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 establishing a new steel trade regime in the EU, which will enter into force on July 1, 2026 and replace the existing protective measures for steel, which expire on June 30, 2026.
The new system https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/1384/oj/eng It provides for annual tariff quotas of 18.3 million tons and a 50% duty for exceeding quotas, as well as new provisions such as "melting and bottling". The requirement is aimed at strengthening control over compliance with trade rules and preventing circumvention of the rules.
However, one of the key elements has yet to be finalized. While the Regulations set the total quota amounts, the distribution of these quotas depending on the country will be determined by a separate resolution of the Implementation Commission, which has not yet been published. The Resolution states that this implementation act should enter into force on July 1, 2026 and will determine the distribution of tariff quotas between exporting countries.
Commenting on the publication, trade lawyer Yuriy Rudyuk stressed that the lack of an implementation act creates uncertainty for importers and supply chains, especially since negotiations with several partner countries on the FTA are reportedly still ongoing. Until the allocation of quotas by country is officially approved, questions remain about the practical application of the new quota system from day one.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2026 concerning the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity in the European Union steel market and amendments to Regulation (EU) 2020/2170
