(1)

By Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159 (3) the Union applies a safeguard measure on imports of certain steel products. The measure takes the form of a tariff-rate quota (‘TRQ’), with imports allowed free-of-duty within a quota based on historical trade flows. The free-of-duty quota is applicable to imports into the Union territory. A safeguard duty of 25 % applies to imports made beyond the applicable quota.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2023/1321 (4) amended Regulation (EU) 2020/2170 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) on the application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas.

(3)

As a result of this amendment, steel categories 7 (Non Alloy and Other Alloy Quarto Plates (6)) and 17 (Angles, Shapes and Sections of Iron or Non Alloy Steel (7)) in the safeguard measure, listed in Annex 1 to Regulation (EU) 2020/2170, originating in the United Kingdom and brought into Northern Ireland by direct transport from other parts of the United Kingdom shall be eligible for treatment pursuant to the relevant Union tariff rate quotas if those goods are released for free circulation in the territory of Northern Ireland.

(4)

On 30 March 2023 the Commission published a Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union explaining that, following the amendment of Regulation (EU) 2020/2170 it was necessary that the Commission amended the EU safeguard Regulation by creating a new TRQ limited to transfers into Northern Ireland of the product categories included in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2023/1321 originating in the United Kingdom and consigned directly from other parts of the United Kingdom. In this way, transfers of products falling within these product categories originating in the United Kingdom and consigned directly from other parts of the United Kingdom could enter Northern Ireland free-of-duty until the allocated quota is exhausted. Out of such quota, a 25 % safeguard duty would apply. Interested parties were given the possibility to comment on the content of the Notice.

(5)

To calculate the adequate volume of TRQs that would ensure, as foreseen in Regulation (EU) 2023/1321, the economic viability of these direct transfers to Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom, in view of the specific circumstances in Northern Ireland, the Commission analysed the available statistics (8) to calculate the volume of transfers to Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom.

(6)

The TRQs created by this Regulation are to be used exclusively by United Kingdom originating goods, as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2023/1321, and which are brought into Northern Ireland by direct transport from other parts of the United Kingdom and released for free circulation in the territory of Northern Ireland. Therefore, these new TRQs do not affect the allocation or volumes of existing TRQs for third countries into the Union territory.

(7)

The Notice of Initiation gave the possibility to interested parties to submit comments within a stipulated deadline. The Commission did not receive any comments from any interested party.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on Safeguards established under Article 3(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 and Article 22(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/755 respectively,