EU trade defence instruments (TDI) have remained largely the same since the mid-nineties, despite new challenges at a global scale, according to the European Commission. To maintain an effective trade defence system, EU institutions initiated a modernisation of these instruments, which was adopted by the European Parliament on 30 May. The new TDI system entered into force on 7 June, introducing relevant changes to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures. Changes emphasised by the legislator include the possibility for faster investigations; businesses to receive notices about implementing measures three weeks in advance; and higher duties to apply in the case of raw material distortions (lesser duty rule removal), provided that certain conditions are met. As a result of the changes, the new legislation will also introduce the minimum target profit at a level of 6% for European companies. Cerame-Unie welcomes this change, which better reflects realistic profit levels in the absence of injurious dumping. 

Today, 100,000 jobs in the European ceramics industry are safeguarded against unfair trading practices thanks to EU TDIs. Cerame-Unie thus welcomes the modernisation of the EU's trade defence system, and will follow its implementation in co-operation with AEGIS Europe, as done for the new anti-dumping methodology. For a more detailed background of the TDI modernisation, please click here.