The European Commission (EC) has confirmed in the official journal the decision to extend by two months the ongoing investigation on import safeguard measures. These are aimed at limiting the impact of increasing steel imports into Europe following the imposition of the Section 232 tariffs in the US.

In the note published this week, the EC notes that investigations should usually be concluded within 9 months, but a further 2 months period could be requested when unprecedented circumstances exist.

“The size of the investigation, in terms of product scope (28 product categories) as well as number of interested parties (over 800 parties registered), is unprecedented. The investigation therefore entails a heavy administrative burden on the Commission in order to deal with a significant number of representations made by the parties, as well as a complex legal and economic analysis of recent data,” the note says. “There has been a great amount of interested parties which have actively participated in the investigation by providing questionnaire replies, submitting written comments and/or participating in hearings.”

The EU steel market has been expecting a decision before the Christmas break, but the complexity of the issue has meant that an extension period is deemed necessary.

The provisional measures are in place until early February. it is likely that definitive measures will be confirmed, but the quotas allocations system could well be changed, Kallanish understands from sources.

“The current provisional safeguard measures adopted against certain steel products ensures the necessary temporary protection of the Union industry, so that an extension of the current investigation would not have negative effects,” the EC says. “As a result, should definitive measures be adopted, the Commission would publish an Implementing Regulation by 1 February 2019 at the latest.”