Riegel/Brussels, 22 December 2023 – In its official submission to the European Commission, the Gerber Group calls for a clear and final end to the EU’s Safeguard Measure on certain steel products. After nearly six years in force, the measure has failed to strengthen the internal market, while significantly harming small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and disrupting global trade flows.
Safeguard Review: Gerber Group Warns Against Prolonging a Failing Policy
“The Safeguard was introduced as an emergency measure — but it has become a long-term barrier to competition, legality, and supply chain stability,” said Thorsten Gerber, CEO of the Gerber Group, a German-based international trader of stainless steel and aluminium. “It must end in June 2026 as scheduled — and not be extended under a new label.”
The Gerber Group’s submission highlights key evidence:
- The Safeguard has not protected EU industry; market concentration has increased, with a handful of domestic steel producers now controlling pricing and volumes.
- EU mills are unable to meet demand: Europe remains structurally dependent on stainless steel imports.
- SMEs suffer most: the quota system favours large importers, while smaller players face legal uncertainty, supply volatility, and price inflation.
- WTO rules clearly limit safeguard measures to a maximum of 8 years, including extensions.
Gerber warns that any attempt to prolong or disguise the measure beyond its legal expiry would risk further WTO litigation and erode the EU’s credibility as a rules-based trade partner.
“It’s time to return to fair competition, supply chain resilience, and legal certainty,” Gerber concluded. “The EU must end the Safeguard — and start supporting its SMEs instead.”
Your press contact
Björn Kammeyer
Head of Marketing Gerber Group
Phone: +49 7642 9282851
Mail: pr@steelnews.biz
We at the Gerber Group have been trading in stainless steel worldwide for over 20 years. We are your experts when it comes to purchasing, import, logistics and services. Information is a vital part of this. Because only then can you and we make the right decisions. Do you have any questions? Contact us now.
Disclaimer: Many things here represent our opinion. Others are information from the Internet. We can therefore never claim to be correct or complete. And never base a business decision solely on the news you receive from us.
