Europe’s steel industry said on Thursday that EU provisions due to be set out next week that prioritise the use of locally-made materials must include steel, and ‘local’ should be understood as only close EU neighbours such as Britain and Norway.
According to Reuters, the EU executive is to propose its “Industrial Accelerator Act” next Wednesday, with requirements to prioritise locally manufactured products when public money is used.
The “Made in Europe” provision is designed to cover “key strategic sectors”, including batteries, solar and wind energy, hydrogen manufacturing, nuclear power and electric vehicles. It is not clear if low-carbon steel would be included.
The plans were due to have been presented this week but were delayed by disagreements over the geographic scope.
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the EU’s single market, are likely to be included.
“I would agree for those that have a very similar system to the EU to add them. I have no problem with the UK, but you cannot add all the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) countries,” Axel Eggert, director general of steel association Eurofer said.
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