[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] EU Steel Safeguard Quotas Delayed to Last Minute; Melt & Pour Consultation Now Open

Published: Jun 8, 2026 16:41

Save

The EU's Directorate-General for Trade plans to publish country-specific steel import quotas only in the final week of June, just few days before the safeguard successor measure takes effect on July 1, 2026. The new framework imposes 50% tariffs and reduces import quotas by 47%, placing a significant burden on Europe's steel-processing sector. Critics argue the delayed publication undermines business planning and may conflict with Article 41 of the EU Charter on the right to good administration. Separately, the Commission has launched a consultation on Melt & Pour proof-of-origin requirements under the EU Steel Regulation, running from June 4 to July 2, 2026. The implementing act will determine documentation standards for importers proving where steel was melted, with overly burdensome requirements risking disproportionate impact on SMEs versus large integrated producers.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

39 mins ago

[SMM Nickel Midday Review] On August 20, SHFE nickel regained the level of 130,000 yuan/mt, and the US Treasury Department announced the expansion of the scale of long-term nominal U.S. Treasury bond repurchases.

39 mins ago

[SMM Nickel Sulphate Daily Review] August 20: Spot Order Market Trading Sluggish, Nickel Sulphate Prices Remain Stable

On August 20, the SMM average price for battery-grade nickel sulphate remained stable.

39 mins ago

1 hour ago

[SMM Nickel Flash News] ESDM Starts Approving Nickel and Coal RKAB, Initial Approvals Cover Dozens of Companies

Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has begun approving revised 2026 RKAB applications for nickel and coal, with approvals reportedly reaching dozens of companies. ESDM Director General of Mineral and Coal Tri Winarno said some nickel mining companies that had previously halted operations due to RKAB issues have now been allowed to resume production. The approved additional nickel ore quota has not yet been disclosed, leaving the actual impact on Indonesia’s nickel ore supply unclear. ESDM previously indicated that the RKAB revision would be implemented selectively, mainly to address ore shortages at smelters, rather than represent a broad increase in mining quotas.

1 hour ago