The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), representing the global recycling industry, has taken note of the European Commission’s new proposal for a regulation aimed at protecting the EU steel industry from the impacts of global overcapacity.
The proposal introduces several measures, including limiting tariff-free import volumes to 18.3 million tonnes a year (a 47 percent reduction compared to 2024), doubling the level of out-of-quota duty to 50 percent, and introducing a Melt and Pour traceability requirement to prevent circumvention. Once reviewed and adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, this regulation would replace the EU’s current safeguard on steel, which expires in June 2026.
While the proposal does not, at this stage, impose export restrictions on metal scrap, it introduces a new monitoring system that could lay the groundwork for future trade limitations. BIR warns that any move towards restricting exports of secondary raw materials would risk undermining both the recycling industry’s competitiveness and Europe’s circular economy objectives.
BIR leadership shares the importance of free trade
“Recycled materials are vital to decarbonising the metals industry and should be recognised as strategic resources in the circular economy,” says Alev Somer, BIR environment and trade director. “Empowering recyclers with free trade — not constraining them — is key to delivering both climate goals and industrial competitiveness.”
BIR emphasises that the EU should focus on stimulating demand for recycled steel through mechanisms such as recycled content targets, green public procurement and incentives, rather than relying on trade barriers.
