Engineering Compliance
Welding Standards
Global Certification Updates
Global Steel Overcapacity 2026: What Indian Steel Exporters Need to Know
October 2026 Edition | Steel Trade & Compliance Update
Stay informed with the latest developments in international welding standards and certification requirements. This month’s update focuses on the current status of EN ISO 15614-1, one of the most important standards governing welding procedure qualification for metallic materials.
The global steel trade is facing more attention and checks. On September 30, 2026, countries in the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity came together and agreed on the Milwaukee Framework. This plan aims to deal with too much steel production worldwide, unfair trade practices, and improve openness about how steel is made and imported.
At the same time, the European Union is focusing more on knowing where steel comes from, how it’s tracked, and details about how it’s produced and sold.
These changes are important for Indian steel makers who want to sell their products in Europe and other places around the world.
Global Steel Overcapacity Is Rising
Global steelmaking capacity is increasing more quickly than the demand in several key areas where steel is made. Recent numbers from the latest Global Forum meeting show that the extra steelmaking capacity worldwide might reach about 745 million tonnes by 2028, which is higher than the 601 million tonnes seen in 2024.
For steel makers and those who export steel, this situation could bring:
• More competition on the international stage
• Higher pressure on prices
• More trade investigations
• More use of import protections and anti-dumping rules
• More attention and checks on the supply chain
Why This Matters for Indian Steel Manufacturers
India is increasing its steel production capacity while global markets are becoming more careful about having too much steel supply. For companies that sell steel overseas, changes in trade rules can influence things like export limits, taxes, what customers want, proof of where the steel came from, technical papers, and whether the product meets standards.
The main change is that to stay competitive in steel, it’s not just about making steel cheaply and efficiently anymore.
It’s also about being able to show that the steel is properly tracked and meets all necessary requirements.
Steel Traceability Is Becoming Critical
International customers and regulators are paying more attention to knowing where steel is made and how it travels through the supply chain.
Manufacturers need to be able to link these steps together:
Steel type → Heat or batch number → Manufacturer → Place where it was made → Country of origin → How it was melted and poured → Testing process → Inspection results → Final product
Important documents that should be kept include:
• Certificates that show the material’s qualities
• Identification numbers for each heat or batch
• Details about how the steel was melted and poured
• Reports from inspections and tests
• Records of production processes
• Documents that show where the material came from
Having clear records makes it simpler to show the steel’s history and prove it meets standards when needed.
EU Steel Imports: Origin and Melt-and-Pour Information
The EU has set new rules about the kind of proof needed to show where the steel used in imported products was melted and poured. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963 explains what kind of evidence can be used for this and aims to make it easier to track where steel imports come from.
For companies that export, it’s important to know that the country a finished product is sent from may not be the same as where the steel was originally melted and poured.
This means that having clear records about where the product was made and tracking the whole supply chain is becoming more important for steel products shipped to the EU.
Conformity and Welding Documentation Still Matter
Trade requirements don’t automatically mean that all Indian steel makers need a new certification.
But if a manufacturer makes structural steel, welded parts, or equipment that is regulated, they might have to show they follow the right technical standards.
These standards can include:
• Product specifications
• Material identification
• Inspection and testing
• Control of manufacturing processes
• Welding procedures
• Welding qualifications
• Quality records
• Technical documents
For welded products, the documents should match what’s actually made.
Depending on how the product is used, this might include things like WPS, WPQR, welder qualifications, records for welding materials, inspection reports, and traceability of materials.
What Indian Steel Exporters Should Do Now
1.Check what is needed in the destination market
Find out the trade, technical, and customer rules that apply
2.Make sure materials can be traced back
Link heat numbers, batch details, and certificates to the final product.
3.Confirm where the product comes from
Check if country-of-origin or melt-and-pour proof is required.
4.Look at technical standards
Make sure you know the rules, specifications, and certification needs.
5.Match the documents with what was made
Ensure records about materials, welding, checking, and testing match the real production.
6.Keep track of subcontracted work
Check that records from outsourced manufacturing and welding are complete and can be traced.
7.Stay updated on EU trade changes
Keep an eye on updates about safeguards, tariffs, anti-dumping actions, quotas, CBAM, and product rules.
The Bigger Shift: From Steel Production to Steel Transparency
The global steel market is no longer just about asking how much steel can be made. Now, an equally important question is coming up: can the source, production process, and compliance of that steel be shown? For Indian companies looking to sell steel abroad, being competitive means being able to prove where the materials came from, how the products were made, what checks were done, and if the paperwork matches the final product.
Compliance Check Before Export
Before sending steel or welded products overseas, make sure to check:
☐ The relevant trade rules are known
☐ The material can be traced back to a specific heat or batch
☐ All material certificates are full and match each other
☐ The country where the material came from is recorded
☐ Melt-and-pour details are available when needed
☐ All inspection and testing records are complete
☐ The production records match the product being sent
☐ The WPS/WPQR and welder qualifications are documented when required
☐ Any subcontracted work is properly managed
☐ The right technical standards are known
☐ A full and clear record of all documents is available
Key Takeaway
As the global steel trade becomes more closely watched, being able to track products, meet standards, and keep proper records is now a key part of getting into international markets.
Indian steel makers and exporters should check their document systems now to make sure their compliance records match up with the products they are exporting.
PZVAR Perspective:
PZVAR’s certification covers European and international standards such as EN 10025-1, EN 1090, EN 10204 Type 3.2, EN ISO 3834, EN 15085, PED, and SPVD, depending on the product, its use, and the required standards.