European Industry Pushes for Stronger ‘Made in EU’ Rules
More than 300 European industrial executives gathered in Paris to press for stronger European-content rules under the EU's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, with steelmakers including ArcelorMittal and Acerinox among the companies backing the initiative.
- Industry gathering: More than 300 European industrial executives met at France's Economy Ministry in Paris.
- Industry backing: More than 600 business leaders and companies have supported the broader initiative.
- Steel participation: ArcelorMittal, Acerinox and Ferroglobe are among the industrial groups backing stronger European industrial-preference rules.
- IAA status: The European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act on March 4, 2026; it remains under EU legislative consideration.
- French timetable: Paris wants a European Parliament position before year-end, a trilogue agreement in H1 2027 and implementation no later than 2028.
For the steel industry, the significance of the IAA lies less in the “Made in Europe” slogan than in its potential to redirect publicly supported demand toward European and lower-carbon material. That could improve the commercial case for EU steel investment if meaningful sourcing requirements survive the legislative process. But the final thresholds, eligible trading partners and product coverage remain under negotiation, so today's proposals should not yet be treated as fixed procurement rules.
More than 300 European industrial executives gathered at France's Ministry of the Economy and Finance in Paris to call for a more ambitious European industrial policy and stronger support for manufacturing within the bloc.
The event, held at Bercy on September 22, 2026 at the initiative of French Industry Minister Sébastien Martin, focused heavily on the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA).
The European Commission formally presented the IAA on March 4 as a proposed regulation aimed at strengthening industrial capacity, supporting decarbonisation and increasing demand for European-made and lower-carbon products in strategic sectors.
Steel Is Among the Strategic Sectors Covered
The Commission's proposal applies to strategic industries including steel, cement, aluminium, automotive manufacturing and net-zero technologies.
It introduces targeted “Made in EU” and/or low-carbon criteria in areas including public procurement and public-support schemes, while also seeking to accelerate permitting and industrial investment.
For steel, the Commission has specifically proposed measures intended to stimulate demand for lower-carbon material.
France Presses for a Stronger European Preference
Martin said France wants the legislation to provide meaningful support for production and value chains genuinely located in Europe.
“The ‘Made in Europe’ label should mean ‘Made in Europe’, not ‘Made in the world’. This is not about closing the European market, but about creating the conditions for fair competition and building partnerships with countries that adhere to similar rules.”
France has indicated that it will oppose what it considers an excessive dilution of the IAA's industrial requirements.
At the same time, Martin cautioned that expanding the legislation to too many sectors could make it more difficult to maintain political support among EU member states.
More Than 600 Industry Leaders Back the Initiative
More than 600 industrial leaders and companies have backed the broader campaign for stronger European industrial preference.
Supporters cited by Eurometal include:
| Organisation / Company | Industry |
|---|---|
| ArcelorMittal | Steel |
| Acerinox | Stainless steel |
| Ferroglobe | Ferroalloys / metals |
| Dassault Aviation | Aerospace |
| Orano | Nuclear / energy |
| Enedis | Electricity infrastructure |
| France Industrie / PFA | Industry / automotive |
France and Germany Differ Over What Counts as ‘Made in EU’
One of the central negotiating questions is how broadly the EU should define European content and which non-EU trading partners should qualify under future sourcing rules.
France has pushed for a relatively strict interpretation focused on production within the EU, while Germany has expressed concern that overly restrictive sourcing provisions could disrupt established supply chains and conflict with open-trade principles.
Spain has proposed a three-tier framework intended to bridge those positions by allowing eligibility rules to vary by sector and by the EU's economic relationship with individual partner countries.
Commission Proposal Remains Under Legislative Review
The Industrial Accelerator Act was proposed by the European Commission on March 4, 2026 and is proceeding under the EU's ordinary legislative procedure.
As of early October, the European Parliament's Legislative Observatory lists the proposal as awaiting committee decision.
The European Parliament's industry, internal-market and international-trade committees are involved in the legislative work.
| Stage | Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Commission proposal | March 4, 2026 | Completed |
| European Parliament position | Before end-2026 | French objective |
| Trilogue agreement | H1 2027 | French objective |
| Implementation | No later than 2028 | French objective |
Steel Sector Has a Direct Stake in the Final Rules
Steel is explicitly identified as one of the strategic sectors addressed by the IAA.
The Commission says the legislation is intended to create stronger demand for low-carbon European industrial products and provide greater certainty for investment in manufacturing capacity.
The Commission's impact assessment also examines European-content requirements for energy-intensive materials such as steel, aluminium and cement, including how origin could be determined through value creation, material sourcing or specific production stages.
The precise thresholds and scope of any final steel-specific requirements remain subject to negotiations between the European Parliament and EU member states.
Debate Comes as EU Steel Trade Remains Under Pressure
The debate over European industrial preference comes as EU steelmakers continue to face difficult trade and demand conditions.
EUROFER reported that total EU steel imports fell 5% year over year in the first half of 2026, but finished flat-steel imports still increased by 2%.
During the same six-month period, EU steel exports to third countries fell by 20% year over year.
Apparent steel consumption is forecast to increase by only 0.1% for full-year 2026, according to EUROFER.
That backdrop helps explain why European producers are seeking policies that would direct more public and publicly supported demand toward steel and other industrial products manufactured within the region.
Primary policy sources: European Commission, Industrial Accelerator Act proposal; European Parliament Legislative Observatory.
Industry meeting: French Ministry of the Economy and Finance; Eurometal.
Additional policy context: Reuters.