The EU has extended for three years the suspension of EU safeguard measures on iron and steel that has been applicable since June 2022, in support of Ukraine's economy during Russia's war of aggression.
Therefore, Ukrainian steel and iron products will remain exempt from safeguard measures until 5 June 2028.
However, the Commission will be able to decide not to apply this suspension for specific products for up to twelve months in case imports of those products from Ukraine increase to a level that significantly harms or threatens to harm to the Union industry producing similar or directly competing products.
Background of the suspension of safeguard measures on steel and iron
Since 2018, the EU has applied safeguard measures on certain iron and steel imports from any third country to protect its producers from global overcapacity.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from February 2022 and the subsequent war have had a profound negative impact on Ukraine’s ability to trade with the rest of the world. Due to the conflict, iron and steel production facilities in Ukraine have been destroyed or rendered useless.
As part of the Union’s support to Ukraine during this illegal war of aggression, Ukraine was exempted from these safeguard measures and now this suspension has been renewed for three years, effective on 6 June 2025.
The suspension aims at allowing Ukrainian producers and exporters to continue accessing the EU market without the constraints of safeguard measures applicable to other third countries.
The EU Commission is currently working on a longer-term solution to offer other trading options to Ukraine’s production.
Further information:
- Council of the EU: EU extends safeguard measures suspension on iron and steel to support war-torn Ukraine’s economy
- Regulation (EU) 2025/1153 suspending certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the Union
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