The agreement reached at EU level on the regulation aimed at protecting the European steel market represents an initial sign of stabilization for the sector, though rapid implementation and corrective action on the most critical points are still needed, as stated by Antonio Gozzi, president Italian steel producers association Federacciai, commenting on the agreement reached in Brussels on April 13..
Gozzi acknowledged the role played by European Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné and Raffaele Fitto, stressing that the commitments made during Federacciai’s assembly in Bergamo had been honored, as had the European Parliament’s support in confirming the overall framework of the Commission’s proposal. More specifically, the Federacciai president described as positive the six-month review foreseen for certain products, including stainless wire, while noting that these segments would have required immediate action. On the other hand, he expressed a more critical view regarding the two-year postponement of the “melted and poured” principle, which he considers a key element in ensuring fair competition rules within the European market.
“Overall, it is a step in the right direction,” Gozzi stated, while reiterating the urgency of moving quickly on implementation of the measures. He underlined that the issue is not limited to trade alone, but also concerns the industrial and employment stability of a strategic sector for Europe. His remarks come at a time when the European steel industry is under strong pressure, already affected by structural challenges linked to energy costs, environmental regulation and international competitiveness.
As already reported by SteelOrbis, in recent weeks Gozzi had repeatedly drawn attention to the weaknesses of the current European regulatory framework, calling for a structural revision of the ETS system, stronger protection for ferrous scrap and the adoption of a more organic industrial strategy at EU level.
Against this backdrop, the agreement on the regulation represents a first step, though not yet a definitive response to the sector’s needs, as the industry continues to call for more incisive and coordinated measures to support the competitiveness of the European steel industry.