Brussels, 26 April 2018 – European Aluminium welcomes the European Commission’s decision to implement prior surveillance of imports of certain aluminium products originating in third countries.

“The EU clearly recognises the current vulnerable situation of the EU industry and the potential trade diversion of aluminium from third countries triggered by the US measures under Section 232. Prior surveillance represents a solid step forward to track and understand imports in real time for our industry. Only a monitoring system will enable us to detect damage to our industry in a timely matter,” commented Director General Gerd Götz.

The release for free circulation in the EU of aluminium products under CN code 7601,7604,7605,7606,7607,7608,7609, 7616.99 will be subject to prior surveillance in accordance with this Regulation. This requirement will start to apply 15 calendar days after tomorrow. Imports under 2.5 tonnes and products originating in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are exempted from the obligation. The import licence should be requested by the importer to the competent national authority listed in Annex II of the Regulation.

“Monitoring will be now a critical tool to figure out how the trade flows will evolve. The European aluminium value chain already faces enormous pressure from the unsustainable and steady increase of overcapacity in China in both primary and semi-fabricated aluminium sectors. There is no time for complacency and therefore we expect the European Commission to implement safeguard measures should the data show a surge in shipments of aluminium product to Europe that could cause a threat of injury to EU producers in the near future. We have the tool, we need to use it properly,” concluded Götz.

 
About European Aluminium

European Aluminium, founded in 1981 and based in Brussels, is the voice of the aluminium industry in Europe. We actively engage with decision makers and the wider stakeholder community to promote the outstanding properties of aluminium, secure growth and optimise the contribution our metal can make to meeting Europe’s sustainability challenges. Through environmental and technical expertise, economic and statistical analysis, scientific research, education and sharing of best practices, public affairs and communication activities, European Aluminium promotes the use of aluminium as a material with permanent properties that is part of the solution to achieving sustainable goals, while maintaining and improving the image of the industry, of the material and of its applications among their stakeholders. Our 80+ members include primary aluminium producers; downstream manufacturers of extruded, rolled and cast aluminium; producers of recycled aluminium and national aluminium associations are representing more than 600 plants in 30 European countries. Aluminium products are used in a wide range of markets, including automotive, transport, high-tech engineering, building, construction and packaging.

For further information, please contact: communications@european-aluminium.eu, +32 2 775 63 63