CECIMO, the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies, of which the Machinery Manufacturers Association of Türkiye (MİB) is a member, has published its position paper on the “Made in EU” principle proposed under the European Union’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA).
Emphasizing Türkiye’s deep integration into European industrial value chains, CECIMO called for products and inputs from countries in a customs union with the EU to be treated as equivalent to EU-origin content.
In its position paper, CECIMO expressed support for the European Union’s objectives of strengthening industrial production, reducing strategic dependencies, and encouraging investment. However, the association stressed that measures prioritizing European-made products should not become protectionist instruments or undermine existing manufacturing and supply chain relationships that are essential to European industrial competitiveness.
Türkiye’s Integral Role in European Industry
CECIMO emphasized that European manufacturing relies on highly integrated value chains extending beyond the EU’s borders. Accordingly, products and inputs originating from countries with free trade agreements or customs unions with the EU should, under appropriate conditions, be considered equivalent to EU-origin content.
Specifically referring to Türkiye, CECIMO highlighted the country’s deep integration into European manufacturing value chains through its Customs Union with the EU. The association warned that excluding closely integrated economic partners such as Türkiye from equivalent treatment could disrupt established supply chains, increase production costs, and weaken the global competitiveness of European industry.
CECIMO further argued that measures aimed at reducing strategic dependencies should target specific products and vulnerable segments of value chains where genuine risks exist, rather than broadly excluding reliable trading partners.
Manufacturing Technologies Must Be Recognized as a Strategic Priority
The position paper also highlighted the critical role of manufacturing technologies in strengthening Europe’s industrial capacity and technological autonomy.
CECIMO emphasized that machine tools, additive manufacturing systems, robotics, and industrial automation provide the essential production infrastructure for strategic sectors, including defense, aerospace, energy, semiconductors, and medical devices.
European industrial policies should therefore extend beyond finished products to encompass the machinery, manufacturing equipment, software, control systems, and other critical technologies that enable their production.
CECIMO also noted that European machine tool production declined by 6.6% in 2025, underscoring the need for policies that strengthen the continent’s industrial base. In this context, the association argued that the effectiveness of industrial policies should be assessed not merely through domestic content requirements, but also through investment, production capacity, productivity, technological advancement, and supply chain resilience.
CECIMO’s Position Aligns with MİB’s Recommendations to the European Commission
CECIMO’s assessment closely aligns with the position submitted by the Machinery Manufacturers Association of Türkiye (MİB) to the European Commission in June 2026 regarding the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act.
In its submission, MİB expressed support for initiatives aimed at improving European industrial competitiveness and strengthening strategic manufacturing capabilities, while emphasizing the need to recognize the economic and industrial integration established between Türkiye and the EU through the Customs Union.
Highlighting Türkiye’s integral role in European production and supply chains, MİB called for measures ensuring that Turkish machinery manufacturers and industrial inputs would not be placed at a disadvantage under the “Made in EU” framework.
MİB also recommended that the potential impact of new measures on existing trade relationships and industrial value chains be carefully assessed, that origin-based restrictions remain proportionate and predictable, and that industrial sustainability objectives be supported by objective and measurable criteria.
CECIMO’s position paper demonstrates that the approach advocated by MİB—preserving Türkiye’s place within the European industrial ecosystem—is also reflected in the broader European manufacturing technology industry.
MİB maintains that Türkiye is a strategic partner that strengthens Europe’s manufacturing capacity, supply chain security, and global competitiveness. With this perspective, the Association continues to closely follow developments concerning the Industrial Accelerator Act and assess their potential implications for the machinery manufacturing industry.
CECIMO’s position paper is available at https://www.cecimo.eu/publications/made-in-europe-principle/