Critical Raw Materials Act

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Supporters

The CRMA also creates a framework for designating Strategic Projects — both inside the EU and in partner countries — that benefit from streamlined permitting (typically capped at 27 months for extraction projects), easier access to finance, and coordinated support. Member states must adopt national exploration programmes, and large companies will be required to conduct supply-chain risk assessments.

Opponents

Critics, including some environmental NGOs and Indigenous-rights groups, argue the accelerated permitting risks weakening environmental review, while industry voices have questioned whether the 2030 benchmarks are achievable without substantial additional public investment.

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In 2024, the European Commission designated a series of Strategic Projects under the CRMA, including lithium extraction sites in Portugal and Germany aimed at supplying EU battery manufacturers.

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Supporters

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The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is a European Union regulation proposed by the European Commission in March 2023 and adopted in 2024 as part of the bloc's Green Deal Industrial Plan. It aims to secure a stable and sustainable supply of raw materials deemed essential for the green and digital transitions, defence, and aerospace — including lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, gallium, and silicon metal.

The regulation establishes two parallel lists: critical raw materials and a narrower set of strategic raw materials subject to specific benchmarks. By 2030, the EU is to:

Extract at least 10% of its annual consumption of strategic raw materials domestically.
Process at least 40% of annual consumption within the EU.
Recycle at least 25% of annual consumption from EU waste streams.
Ensure that no more than 65% of annual consumption of any strategic raw material at any relevant stage of processing comes from a single third country.

The CRMA also creates a framework for designating Strategic Projects — both inside the EU and in partner countries — that benefit from streamlined permitting (typically capped at 27 months for extraction projects), easier access to finance, and coordinated support. Member states must adopt national exploration programmes, and large companies will be required to conduct supply-chain risk assessments.

The regulation responds to concerns highlighted after the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and particularly to China's dominance in rare earth processing. It complements the EU's Net-Zero Industry Act and parallels U.S. initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Minerals Security Partnership.

Frequently asked questions

How does the CRMA differ from a list of critical minerals?

Beyond identifying critical materials, the CRMA sets binding 2030 benchmarks for EU extraction, processing, recycling, and supplier diversification, and creates a Strategic Projects regime with fast-track permitting.

Does the CRMA apply outside the EU?

The regulation itself binds EU institutions and member states, but Strategic Projects can be designated in third countries with which the EU has partnership agreements, enabling EU financial and diplomatic support.

Which country is the main concern behind the 65% supplier cap?

China, which dominates global processing of rare earths and several battery metals, is the principal — though unnamed — concentration risk the benchmark seeks to address.

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Positions at a glance

Supporters

Opponents

Research it like a delegate

Ask a follow-up about Critical Raw Materials Act

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Research Critical Raw Materials Act like a delegate

Positions at a glance

Supporters

Opponents

Research it like a delegate

Ask a follow-up about Critical Raw Materials Act

Frequently asked questions

How does the CRMA differ from a list of critical minerals?

Does the CRMA apply outside the EU?

Which country is the main concern behind the 65% supplier cap?

Go deeper than the definition

Take Critical Raw Materials Act beyond the glossary

Frequently asked questions

How does the CRMA differ from a list of critical minerals?

Does the CRMA apply outside the EU?

Which country is the main concern behind the 65% supplier cap?