The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is a legislative initiative adopted by the European Union (EU) in 2024 to secure a stable, diversified, and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (CRMs). These materials are essential for the EU’s green and digital transitions, particularly in technologies like wind turbines, electric vehicles, solar panels, and semiconductors. They are also important for reasons of national and European security, with an overall aim of lessening European dependency on non-democratic jurisdictions, particularly China.
The Act aims to reduce the EU’s dependency on third countries by setting clear benchmarks for domestic capacity by 2030:
- 10 percent of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials should be extracted within the EU.
- 40 percent should be processed in the EU.
- 25 percent should come from recycling.
- The EU should not be reliant on a single non-EU country for more than 65% of its supply of any strategic raw material.
To help meet these targets, the Act establishes a framework for identifying and supporting Strategic Projects. These are raw materials projects of particular importance to the EU’s security and sustainability. Strategic Projects will benefit from:
- Accelerated permitting (within 24 months for extraction, 12 months for processing or recycling).
- Streamlined regulatory processes.
- Easier access to financing and permitting support at both EU and national levels.
Member States are also required to adopt national exploration programs and to strengthen coordination between authorities responsible for permitting, investment, and environmental protection.
The CRMA promotes not only security of supply, but also high environmental and social standards, improved circularity through recycling, and stronger international partnerships with reliable countries.
Source: European Commission, “Questions and Answers on the European Critical Raw Materials Act”, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/it/qanda_23_1662/