Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission
21.1.2025
On 21 November 2024, the Commission initiated an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of fused alumina from the People’s Republic of China[1], which covers white corundum.
As part of the EU industry, Niche Fused Alumina has been contacted by the Commission to participate in the investigation. The deadline for the imposition of definitive measures, if any, is 21 January 2026.
However, provisional measures can already be imposed seven to eight months after initiation. Imports will also be made subject to registration in due time.
As regards to the second question of the Honourable Member, please note that Article 30(2) of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) Regulation[2] tasks the Commission to prepare a report to co-legislators by the end of the transitional period to review the CBAM, including an assessment of the possibility to extend the scope of the CBAM to goods at risk of carbon leakage other than those listed in Annex I. As this assessment is ongoing, it is too early to say if the product in question will be included in the scope of the CBAM in the future.
Regarding the support to industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Political Guidelines for the 2024-2029 Commission[3] highlight that European SMEs create 24 million quality jobs and stress the need to reduce complexities for them.
The Political Guidelines also announce a Clean Industrial Deal to decarbonise and bring down energy prices. In addition, they suggest that future legislation must be simplified and designed with small businesses in mind and in a spirit of subsidiarity.
This will notably be done though a new SME and competitiveness check to help avoid unnecessary administrative burdens, maintaining high standards.