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EU Critical Raw Materials Act and strategic shifts

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2026-10-20 22:06 UTC → 2026-10-26 13:23 UTC · added removed

European Union EU Critical Raw Materials Act approval and strategic shifts

The European Parliament has approved the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) to bolster the European Union’s strategic autonomy and secure sustainable supplies for green and digital transitions. The legislation includes provisions for targeted support of strategic projects across the entire value chain, including extraction, processing, refining, and recycling. To manage these resources, lawmakers proposed establishing an autonomous European Critical Raw Materials agency. This body would be responsible for market intelligence, resilience planning, stockpile management, and joint procurement. To fund these initiatives, the Parliament requested a dedicated 2 billion euro CRM fund to be integrated into the 2028-2034 long-term EU budget. Additionally, the Parliament approved measures to restrict the export of certain strategic materials. This includes a conditional export control clause allowing the European Commission to limit the export of permanent magnet scrap and waste to ensure recyclable materials remain within the EU. These measures aim to support domestic industries such as battery manufacturing, electric vehicles, electronics, and defense equipment. Furthermore, the Commission will be tasked with identifying large companies in strategic sectors to impose resilience obligations, such as supply chain mapping. Recent developments indicate a potential shift toward more direct state intervention to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China. Proposals have emerged for the proposed Critical Raw Materials Centre to take equity stakes in mining and processing companies, a model inspired by Japan’s Organization for Metals and Energy Security. While intended to protect industries from market manipulation, some lawmakers have noted that the proposed €2 billion allocation may be insufficient without further support from the European Investment Bank, member states, and private investors.

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  1. 2026-10-26 13:23 UTC EU Critical Raw Materials Act and strategic shifts
  2. 2026-10-20 22:06 UTC European Union Critical Raw Materials Act approval

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