Castellón seeks EU benchmark to protect tile industry

The regional government of Castellón is calling on the Spanish central government to engage the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in Brussels to establish a ‘benchmark’ for the tile industry. This measure aims to protect the local sector from unfair competition from non-EU manufacturers who operate under more lenient environmental regulations and lower energy costs.

The Castellón industry represents nearly all of Spain's national tile production. The sector currently faces significant challenges, including high energy prices, a slowdown in European construction, and pressure from international competitors. By establishing a European benchmark regarding emissions, costs, or standards, the industry hopes to provide the EU with a mechanism to identify unfair competition and activate commercial defense instruments.