Commission proposes Critical Raw Materials Act to secure EU supply
Measure in Brief
The package comprises a Regulation called the Critical Raw Materials Act and a Communication embedding updated lists of critical and strategic raw materials and setting benchmarks: 10% extraction, 40% processing, 15% recycling, and a cap of not more than 65% of annual consumption at any processing stage from a single third country. It aims to simplify permitting and support Strategic Projects with permit targets of 24 months for extraction and 12 months for processing and recycling.
Who Is Affected
Key sectors are the net zero, digital, aerospace and defence industries, and the package addresses the EU's reliance on imports from dominant third country suppliers. Member States must set national exploration programmes and certain large companies will have to audit and stress test their supply chains, while products with permanent magnets must meet circularity and recyclability information requirements.
What Comes Next
The proposed Regulation will be discussed and agreed by the European Parliament and the Council before adoption and entry into force.
Sources
Official Documents
- Critical Raw Materials: ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for EU's green and digital future The EU Commission announces the Critical Raw Materials Act, a Regulation and accompanying Communication to secure diversified, domestic, and sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials, with monitoring, stock coordination, and international partnerships.
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