(C) Eurocert S.A

LONDON – The European Union is reportedly considering a bold new legislative push that could mandate a significant portion of key manufactured products, including automobiles, to be sourced from European suppliers. According to sources familiar with the matter, the draft "Industrial Facilitation Act," slated for announcement next week, may include provisions requiring up to 70% of a product's components to be of European origin.

This proposed measure represents a decisive pivot toward a more protectionist industrial strategy, primarily aimed at reducing the bloc's growing reliance on China and prioritizing EU-made goods. However, its implementation could impose substantial costs on European companies, potentially exceeding €10 billion annually, as they would be compelled to replace cheaper foreign components with more expensive European alternatives.

The Rationale: De-risking and Economic Pressure

The initiative is being spearheaded by Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, who has long advocated for expanding domestic production. The move comes amid persistent economic headwinds, including high energy costs and the lingering impact of past trade tensions, which have increased the temptation for European firms to rely on low-cost Chinese imports.

Notably, member states previously skeptical of such 'Buy-European' policies, particularly Germany, are now reportedly viewing them more favorably due to the current economic climate. This shift suggests a growing internal consensus that aggressive industrial policy is necessary to safeguard the competitiveness and resilience of the European economy.

Details of the Proposed Mandate

EU officials have indicated that while the maximum 'European content' ratio under discussion is 70%, the specific percentage would likely vary across different sectors. For the automotive industry, for example, the rule would not impose a blanket prohibition on non-European parts but would instead grant government incentives exclusively to vehicles that meet the prescribed European content threshold.

Crucially, the new requirements are expected to apply only to the use of public funds, encompassing procurement contracts, state aid, and various subsidies. This focused application is intended to navigate the constraints of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, which generally forbid favoring domestic producers but allow exceptions on security-related grounds.

One EU official speculated that products deemed to pose a security risk, such as solar panel inverters, might be required to use mostly European components once the new regulations take effect.

Internal Disagreement and Implementation Challenges

The path to implementation, however, is not clear-cut. Sources within the European Commission indicate that there are significant internal disagreements over the draft legislation, suggesting the potential for delays or substantial modifications to the final text. A key point of contention is the scope of what constitutes 'European.' Executive Vice-President Séjourné is reportedly pushing to strictly define 'European' as products sourced exclusively from the European Union, excluding wider European Economic Area (EEA) partners.

Should the bill pass in its current form, it would mark one of the most significant pieces of EU legislation designed to boost continental manufacturing and supply chain resilience in decades. It signals a new era where economic security and self-sufficiency are given precedence in the EU's industrial policy matrix, challenging the bloc's traditionally open-market stance and raising questions about global trade reciprocity. The final text, expected next week, will provide a clearer picture of the depth and breadth of the EU’s commitment to this new industrial direction.