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A steel firms鈥� trade association has waded into the ongoing row over allegedly defective Chinese steel rebar imports into the UK, claiming moves by the EU to tighten import regulations could damage the free market for rebar and force up prices.

The International Steel Trade Association (ISTA), which represents steel traders, has written to the European Commission - which is investigating claims of 鈥渄umping鈥� of defective Chinese rebar in Europe - to warn that any restrictions on imports will 鈥渋nhibit freedom of choice for users in the UK market鈥�.

ISTA claims any introduction of import restrictions could reduce competition in the market.

In its submission, ISTA further argues that Chinese rebar imports are accredited by the Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels (CARES) which 鈥済uarantees
quality and traceability鈥�.

ISTA鈥檚 intervention comes after months of controversy about the quality of Chinese imported rebar.

Steel producers鈥� association UK Steel has launched a Charter for Sustainable British Steel in an effort to combat what they see as sub-standard Chinese imports,
while firms including Willmott Dixon have issued warnings about potentially defective imported rebar from outside the EU.

CARES has said it received three allegations of non-compliance of Chinese rebar imports between September 2013 and August 2014, but, following investigations, 鈥渇ound no evidence of sub-standard products鈥�.

Tony Singer, president of ISTA, said he wanted 鈥渁 free and fair trading environment for the industry鈥� as its members rely on imported steel to feed their own supply chains and maintain competitiveness.