Agreement on a more strategic access to raw materials

The EPP Group has long championed Europe's need for better access to critical raw materials. An important milestone was reached tonight, as negotiators from the European Parliament and EU Member States agreed on the European Critical Raw Materials Act. This new law will improve Europe's access to crucial raw materials, a crucial priority for the EPP Group.

“I welcome this agreement. The EPP Group took the initiative in the Parliament in 2021 for a credible and strategic raw materials policy. This will now become a reality from the beginning of next year. This is a fundamental step forward to better secure the basis of our European industry, especially for future technologies, which we want to expand specifically. The new EU Raw Materials Act not only includes targets for domestic production and processing but also defines diversification,” says Hildegard Bentele MEP, the EPP Group's lead negotiator for the Critical Raw Materials Act.

"The main points for the EPP Group have all been achieved. In particular, we managed to get more rapid approval procedures for strategic projects which will improve planning certainty for investors. We also achieved greater flexibility in the revision of the raw materials lists, the significant expansion of commodity partnerships for mutual benefit and more predictability for project developers about sustainability requirements. We are also taking an important step forward in recycling. It was also important for me to anchor the coherence of the regulation with other legislation. Today’s agreement commits the Commission to continuously assess overlaps with other legislation. I am pleased that the discussions on the legislation have already triggered positive reactions from banks and investors. The new regulation is a warning shot to China. It is already being seen as an invitation by new partners willing to cooperate. Despite the high speed of the negotiations, this is a high-quality and politically meaningful piece of legislation,” adds Bentele, who sits on the European Parliament's Industry, Environment and Development Committees.

After tonight's agreement, the European Parliament and Member States will technically finalise the text before the agreement can be conclusively approved by the two institutions. In the Parliament, the next step will be a vote in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, which has responsibility for the law.