EU adopts provisional safeguard measures on grain-oriented electrical steel
- Provisional EU safeguard measures for GOES take effect 25 Sept 2026 and remain in place through end-Feb 2027.
- Measures target surging imports of heavily subsidised grain-oriented electrical steel, particularly from Asia.
- GOES is essential for transformers and is used in substations, data centres and wind farms.
- Thyssenkrupp’s CEO says the measures protect an entire value chain and safeguard more than 1,000 families at sites in Gelsenkirchen and northern France.
Provisional measures and timeline
Following an extensive investigation, the European Commission adopted provisional safeguard measures for grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES). The measures take effect on 25 September 2026 and will remain in place through the end of February 2027. They are designed to limit surging imports of heavily subsidised material, particularly from Asia.
Strategic role of GOES
GOES is described as an essential material for power transmission infrastructure and the energy transition. It is used in transformers and other critical applications, including substations, data centres and wind farms.
Industry reaction
Marie Jaroni, CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel, said the company ‘‘strongly welcome[s] the European Union's decision to introduce provisional safeguard measures for grain-oriented electrical steel and other products across the transformer value chain following a thorough investigation.’’ She added the decision is ‘‘positive and reassuring news for more than 1,000 families at our sites in Gelsenkirchen and northern France.’’
Jaroni highlighted that, for the first time, an entire value chain from electrical steel to the transformer core is being protected rather than a single product alone, and said the provisional measures are balanced and help preserve critical industrial production, innovation and jobs in Europe, reduce dependencies and strengthen resilience.
Source: thyssenkrupp Steel Europe