The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the Autonomous Tariff Suspensions and Quotas (ATSQ) scheme. The consultation forms part of an evaluation undertaken by the Commission on the extent to which ATSQs continue to meet their core objectives and whether they remain fit for purpose given changes in the EU’s policy priorities, market patterns and the economic, industrial, trade and geopolitical context since the last evaluation in 2013. The core objectives of the ATSQ scheme are to stimulate economic activity within the EU; improve the competitive capacity of businesses; and enable businesses to maintain and create employment and modernize their structures. More generally, these measures are intended to stimulate industrial development in the EU.
The Commission would like to hear stakeholders’ views on the following points:
What are the main challenges that companies face in the context of ATSQs?
On production inputs (raw materials, semi-finished products or components), does providing targeted cost relief from tariff duties help increase the EU’s competitiveness?
What are the costs for businesses of applying for, objecting to and monitoring these measures?
What specific simplification measures could reduce burdens while preserving policy objectives?
What could be the main incentives for an EU producer to diversify the sourcing of its production inputs?
Any other topic relevant to ATSQ that could be part of the evaluation.
The deadline to submit comments is October 8, 2026.
