Representatives of the European secondary steel value chain voiced concerns over the direction of EU discussions on green steel labeling and the identification of leading markets, according to a joint appeal submitted to the European Commission.

The signatories warned that applying the sliding scale concept without distinguishing between oxygen converter and electric arc furnace (EAF) technologies would be inappropriate, noting that such concepts were originally developed for primary coal-based steelmaking. They argued that the approach would be counterproductive for the already highly decarbonized EAF route and cannot be corrected through adjustments or technical solutions. The letter also stated that the proposed voluntary labeling would still cause harm.

The signatories highlighted that organizations developing the variable scale labeling consulted mainly with primary producers, leaving secondary producers underrepresented. They cautioned the EC against unbalanced policies that could incentivize replacing EAF production with higher-emission imports and called for a more targeted approach aligned with existing carbon footprint methodologies.