According to the latest draft regulation, the new EU steel protection regime will come into force on 1 July 2026, while the current protection measures will expire on 30 June 2026. The Post-Safeguard Regulation aims to ensure continuity and predictability of the EU steel market following the end of current safeguard measures, while allowing for adjustments based on changing market conditions.
Under the draft regulation, Norway, Iceland and liechtenstein will be exempt from the measures under the European Economic Area agreement. All other third-country suppliers will be subject to the new framework once it comes into force.
The EU Council noted that the total value of adjusted quotas should be limited to remain between 15.2 and 22.2 million tonnes, as previously reported SteelOrbis . In addition, the Council authorized the carryover of unused tariff quota volumes in one quarter to the next quarter during the same annual tariff quota application period. Under the proposed rules, unused volumes will remain available for 20 working days until the next quarter, providing greater flexibility for importers and market participants.
The European Parliament's International Trade Committee is expected to vote on the draft at the end of January 2026, paving the way for inter-institutional negotiations between the Parliament, the Council and the Commission early next year.
