Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/780: Anti-Dumping Duty on Steel Track Shoes from China
The European Commission has imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty of 62.5% on imports of steel track shoes originating from China. This measure follows a complaint alleging that Chinese imports were being dumped on the EU market, causing material injury to Union producers. The duty applies to specific steel track shoes, whether or not assembled in a track chain, with a maximum length of 3 000 mm, used on machines falling under headings 8426, 8429 or 8430, or conveyor belts currently falling under heading 8428 originating in the People’s Republic of China. For steel track shoes imported assembled in a track chain, the anti-dumping duty shall be applied to 55 % for track groups and 50 % for full track groups of the net, free-at-Union-frontier price, before duty, of the imported assembled products. Customs authorities are directed to discontinue the registration of imports which was previously in place.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/757: Authorisation of Sepiolite as a Feed Additive
Sepiolite is now authorized as a technological feed additive for all animal species, acting as a binder and anti-caking agent. The regulation permits a maximum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg of complete feed. Feed operators must implement safety measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, to protect users from potential health risks. Transitional measures are in place to allow businesses to adapt to these new requirements. The regulation will come into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/801: Registration of ‘Aguacate de Canarias’ as a PGI
‘Aguacate de Canarias’ has been officially registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) within the EU. This registration grants legal protection against misuse, imitation, or evocation, ensuring that only avocados produced in the Canary Islands according to the defined product specification can be marketed under this name. The regulation came into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/772: Amendment to Emission Allowance Allocation Rules
This regulation amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842, adjusting rules for the free allocation of emission allowances under the EU ETS. Key changes include new definitions, modified reporting obligations, mandatory suspension of allowance issuance for non-compliance, recovery of reduced allowances under certain conditions, and mandatory climate-neutrality reports for specific operators every five years, starting in 2026. District heating installations investing in climate neutrality may receive an additional 30% of allowances under strict conditions. The threshold for adjustments to free allocation is increased from 100 to 300 emission allowances and sub-installations that have ceased operation are no longer entitled to free allocation for the remainder of the calendar year following the cessation. These measures are intended to enhance emission reduction efforts and ensure harmonized implementation across Member States.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/756: Authorisation of L-Valine as a Feed Additive
L-valine, produced with *Escherichia coli* CGMCC 22721, is now authorized as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species. When used for ruminants, L-valine must be protected against degradation in the rumen. The regulation sets labelling requirements and analytical methods. Feed business operators must establish procedures and measures to address potential risks to users of the additive and premixtures, including the use of personal protective equipment where risks cannot be eliminated. The authorisation is valid until 12 May 2035.
Review of Regulation (EU) 2025/783: Amendment Regarding Additional Customs Duties on US Imports
This regulation introduces a *de minimis* threshold of USD 30,000 for disbursements under the United States’ Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA). If the disbursements fall below this amount, the Commission is no longer required to adjust the level of suspension of tariff concessions, and the additional import duty will be suspended. The Commission is required to publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union to that effect. This provision prevents disproportionate administrative costs for the Union.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/780 of 16 April 2025 imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of steel track shoes originating in the People’s Republic of China
Here’s a breakdown of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/780:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation introduces a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of steel track shoes originating from China. The European Commission initiated this measure following a complaint from a Union industry producer, which alleged that Chinese imports were being dumped on the EU market, causing material injury to Union producers. The regulation establishes a provisional duty rate of 62.5% on all imports of steel track shoes from China.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
The regulation is structured as follows:
* **Initiation and Procedure:** It outlines the background of the investigation, including the initial complaint, notification to interested parties, and sampling methods used.
* **Product Definition:** It defines the scope of the product under investigation (certain types of steel shoes) and confirms that similar products manufactured and sold within the Union constitute a “like product”.
* **Dumping Determination:** It details the methodology used to determine dumping, including the rejection of domestic Chinese prices due to significant distortions in the Chinese economy. It establishes a normal value based on production costs and sales in a representative country (Turkey).
* **Injury Assessment:** It assesses the injury suffered by the Union industry, considering factors like production volume, sales, market share, and profitability.
* **Causation Analysis:** It examines the causal link between the dumped imports and the injury to the Union industry, while also considering other potential factors.
* **Level of Measures:** It determines the level of anti-dumping duty needed to remove the injury to the Union industry.
* **Union Interest:** It assesses whether imposing measures is in the overall interest of the Union, considering the impact on various stakeholders.
* **Provisional Measures:** It imposes a provisional anti-dumping duty of 62.5% on imports of steel track shoes from China.
* **Registration:** It discontinues the registration of imports, which was previously in place to potentially allow for retroactive duty collection.
**3. Main Provisions for Use:**
* **Anti-Dumping Duty:** A provisional anti-dumping duty of 62,5 % is imposed on imports of steel track shoes originating in the People’s Republic of China.
* **Product Scope:** The duty applies to certain types of steel shoes, with or without rubber pads, whether or not assembled in a track chain, with a maximum length of 3 000 mm, used on machines currently falling under headings 8426, 8429 or 8430, or conveyor belts currently falling under heading 8428 originating in the People’s Republic of China.
* **Assembled Products:** For steel track shoes imported assembled in a track chain, the anti-dumping duty shall be applied to 55 % for track groups and 50 % for full track groups of the net, free-at-Union-frontier price, before duty, of the imported assembled products
* **Discontinuation of Registration:** Customs authorities are directed to discontinue the registration of imports established in accordance with Article 1 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2721 of 24 October 2024.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/757 of 16 April 2025 concerning the authorisation of sepiolite as a feed additive for all animal species
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/757 concerns the authorisation of sepiolite as a feed additive for all animal species. It classifies sepiolite as a technological additive, specifically as a binder and an anticaking agent. The regulation sets conditions for its use, including maximum concentration levels and safety measures to protect users from potential health risks. It also establishes transitional measures for products already on the market to adapt to the new requirements.
The regulation consists of three articles and an annex. Article 1 authorises sepiolite as a feed additive under the conditions specified in the annex. Article 2 outlines transitional measures, allowing the continued use and marketing of products produced and labelled before specific dates, to allow businesses to adjust to the new rules. Article 3 states that the regulation will come into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The annex specifies the identification number of the feed additive, its composition, the animal species for which it is intended, and the maximum permitted content in feed. It also includes other provisions, such as the requirement for specific instructions for use and safety measures for users of the additive.
The most important provisions of this act are those that define the conditions of use for sepiolite as a feed additive. Specifically, the regulation sets a maximum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg of complete feed. It mandates that feed business operators establish operational procedures and organizational measures to address potential risks to users, including the use of personal protective equipment where risks cannot be eliminated. These measures are crucial for ensuring the safe handling and use of sepiolite in animal feed.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/801 of 14 April 2025 on the registration of the geographical indication Aguacate de Canarias (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/801 officially registers ‘Aguacate de Canarias’ as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) within the Union’s register. This registration confirms that ‘Aguacate de Canarias’ meets the criteria for geographical indications, ensuring legal protection within the EU. The regulation acknowledges that the application for this registration was compliant with the procedural requirements and that no objections were raised during the opposition period.
The structure of the act is straightforward. It consists of a preamble that outlines the legal basis and justification for the regulation, followed by two articles. Article 1 formally registers the geographical indication. Article 2 specifies the date of entry into force of the regulation. This regulation is based on Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
The most important provision is Article 1, which grants ‘Aguacate de Canarias’ (PGI) the status of a registered geographical indication in the Union register. This provides legal protection against misuse, imitation, or evocation of the name, and ensures that only avocados produced in accordance with the defined product specification within the Canary Islands can be marketed under that name.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/772 of 16 April 2025 amending and correcting Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842 laying down rules for the application of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards further arrangements for the adjustments to free allocation of emission allowances due to activity level changes
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/772.
This regulation amends and corrects Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842, which concerns the rules for adjusting the free allocation of emission allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) due to changes in activity levels. The changes are necessary to align the previous regulation with amendments to Directive 2003/87/EC and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/331, which aim to increase emission reduction targets and ensure harmonized implementation across Member States. The new regulation clarifies rules for adjusting free allocation, introduces requirements for climate-neutrality reports, and sets conditions for recovering allowances reduced due to energy efficiency requirements.
The regulation modifies several articles of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842 and introduces new ones. Key changes include:
* **Clarification of Definitions:** A definition for “average of the expected activity level” and “process emissions sub-installation” is added.
* **Reporting Obligations:** The annual activity level report must now include data for the two preceding years in 2021 and 2026. The deadline for submission is set to March 31st of each year unless the competent authority sets an earlier date. The preliminary activity level report is removed.
* **Suspension of Issuance of Allowances:** The regulation makes the suspension of free emission allowances mandatory under certain conditions, such as the absence of a verified annual activity level report or an unsatisfactory verification report.
* **Recovery of Reduced Allowances:** A new Article 3a is introduced, outlining the conditions and process for operators to recover allowances that were initially reduced due to non-compliance with energy efficiency recommendations.
* **Climate-Neutrality Report:** A new Article 3b requires operators who have submitted a climate-neutrality plan to draft a climate-neutrality report every five years, starting in 2026. The report must contain specific information and be verified.
* **Allocation of Reduced Allowances:** A new Article 3c specifies the conditions under which reduced allowances will be allocated, particularly concerning the achievement of milestones and targets in the climate-neutrality plan.
* **Additional Allowances for District Heating:** A new Article 3d sets out the conditions and procedures for granting an additional 30% of allowances to district heating installations that make significant investments towards climate neutrality. It also includes provisions for the return of these allowances if the conditions are not met.
* **Adjustments to Free Allocation:** The threshold for adjustments to free allocation is increased from 100 to 300 emission allowances.
* **Cessation of Operations:** Sub-installations that have ceased operation are no longer entitled to free allocation for the remainder of the calendar year following the cessation.
* **Submission of Information to the Commission:** Competent authorities are required to submit data from all activity level reports to the Commission.
* **Annexes:** Two annexes are added regarding the calculation of the expected activity level and the content of the climate-neutrality report.
The most important provisions for operators and authorities are:
* **The mandatory suspension of allowance issuance** if activity level reports are missing or not verified.
* **The conditions for recovering allowances reduced** due to energy efficiency non-compliance, providing a pathway for operators to regain their full allocation.
* **The requirement for climate-neutrality reports** for certain installations, which introduces a structured way of reporting on progress towards climate neutrality.
* **The rules for additional allowances for district heating**, which incentivize investments in emission reductions but also include strict conditions for maintaining the allocation.
* **The increased threshold for adjustments**, which reduces administrative burden by only requiring adjustments for more significant changes in activity levels.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/756 of 16 April 2025 concerning the authorisation of L-valine produced with Escherichia coli CGMCC 22721 as a feed additive for all animal species
Here’s a breakdown of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/756:
This regulation authorises the use of L-valine, produced with *Escherichia coli* CGMCC 22721, as a feed additive for all animal species. It classifies L-valine as a ‘nutritional additive’ within the functional group of ‘amino acids, their salts and analogues’. The authorisation is based on the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) assessment, which found the additive safe for the target species, consumers, and the environment under specific conditions.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 states that the substance specified in the Annex is authorised as an additive in animal nutrition, subject to the conditions laid down in that Annex. Article 2 indicates when the regulation comes into force. The Annex specifies the identification number of the feed additive, its composition, chemical formula, description, analytical method, the animal species for which it is intended, and other provisions.
Key provisions of the regulation include:
* **Authorisation and conditions of use:** L-valine produced with *Escherichia coli* CGMCC 22721 is authorised for use as a feed additive for all animal species.
* **Safety:** EFSA’s opinion highlights the safety of L-valine for the target species when supplemented appropriately, but raises concerns about potential amino acid imbalances and hygienic issues if administered simultaneously via drinking water and feed.
* **Ruminant-specific requirement:** When used for ruminants, L-valine must be protected against degradation in the rumen.
* **Labelling requirements:** The additive and premixtures must be labelled with storage conditions, stability to heat treatment and in water, and a statement that supplementation with L-valine, especially via drinking water, should consider all essential and conditionally essential amino acids to avoid imbalances.
* **User safety:** Feed business operators must establish procedures and measures to address potential risks to users of the additive and premixtures, including the use of personal protective equipment where risks cannot be eliminated.
* **Analytical methods:** The regulation specifies analytical methods for identifying and determining the quantity of L-valine in the feed additive, premixtures, compound feed, and water.
* **Authorisation period:** The authorisation is valid until 12 May 2035.
Regulation (EU) 2025/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 April 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/196 on additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America
This Regulation (EU) 2025/783 amends Regulation (EU) 2018/196, which concerns additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America. The amendment introduces a *de minimis* threshold regarding the level of disbursements under the United States’ Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA). If the disbursements fall below this threshold, the Commission is no longer required to adjust the level of suspension of tariff concessions, and the additional import duty will be suspended. The regulation aims to ensure efficient processes and avoid disproportionate administrative costs for the Union.
The structure of the amending Regulation (EU) 2025/783 is straightforward. It contains two articles. Article 1 introduces amendments to Article 3 of the principal Regulation (EU) 2018/196. These amendments include replacing the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 regarding the Commission’s power to adopt delegated acts and adding a new paragraph 4, which introduces the *de minimis* threshold. Article 2 stipulates the entry into force of the amending regulation.
The most important provision of this amending regulation is the introduction of a *de minimis* threshold set at USD 30,000. Specifically, if the amount of disbursements under the CDSOA relating to anti-dumping and countervailing duties paid on imports from the Union is USD 30,000 or less, the Commission is not required to adjust the level of suspension, and the additional import duty will be suspended. The Commission is then required to publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union to that effect. This provision is designed to prevent the imposition of additional import duties that have no trade effect and would result in disproportionate administrative costs for the Union.
