The European Commission has announced that it has initiated a safeguard investigation into certain grain-oriented flat rolled products of silicon-electrical steel. The investigation aims to determine whether safeguard measures are required to protect EU manufacturers against the recent surge in imports.
Imports surge sharply
According to information presented to the Commission, total imports of grain-oriented electrical steel increased significantly, rising from 91,362 mt in 2021 to 191,056 mt in the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, marking a 109 percent increase.
Global overcapacity raises concerns
The Commission highlighted that global spare capacity for grain-oriented electrical steel is estimated at approximately 630,000 mt, which exceeds total EU consumption by 64 percent. Additionally, increasing trade defense measures imposed by third countries have limited access to other markets, potentially pushing more exports toward the EU.
If the investigation confirms the need for action, provisional safeguard measures may be imposed within four to five months. If such measures are introduced, definitive measures must follow within 200 days, with the overall process expected to be completed within nine to 11 months from the initiation of the investigation.
Grain-oriented electrical steel is not covered by tariff-rate quotas but imports from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US are subject to antidumping measures in the form of a minimum import price per metric ton. The products in question fall under the GTIP codes 7225 11 00 and 7226 11 00.
