NEWS     27.07.2026

The Critical Raw Materials Act

The European Union’s green and digital transition depends on a reliable supply of raw materials that are crucial for various industries. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and other rare earth minerals are components of batteries, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors, railway systems and defence equipment. Demand for these raw materials is still growing, and therefore issues related to their supply are becoming increasingly prevalent for the European Union (EU).

To address this, the EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing rules to secure a sustainable supply of critical raw materials, commonly referred to as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The regulation entered into force in May 2024 and is part of a wider package of initiatives designed to improve the competitiveness of the EU economy.

The CRMA was adopted in response to the EU’s reliance on imports of numerous critical raw materials. In many cases, supplies come from only a limited number of countries, creating potential risks due to geopolitical tensions, export restrictions, or disruptions in global supply chains. Therefore, the CRMA is intended to reduce this dependence and support the development of a more resilient EU industry.

One of the key points of the CRMA is the distinction between “critical raw materials” and a narrower category of “strategic raw materials”. Strategic raw materials are these particularly important to technologies supporting the green and digital transitions, as well as to defence and aerospace industries. The CRMA establishes a list of such materials and introduces specific measures designed to improve their supply within the EU.

The CRMA also sets out several objectives to be achieved by 2030. The EU wants to increase domestic extraction, processing, recycling capacity, and reduce excessive dependence on suppliers from third countries. Although the CRMA does not aim to eliminate imports, it promotes increased diversification of supply sources and promotes investment across the entire value chain.

Another key element is the introduction of strategic projects. These may involve the extraction, processing, recycling, or substitution of strategic raw materials and can benefit from simplified permit procedures and easier access to financing options. The objective is to enhance investments that are considered essential for security of supply within the EU.

The CRMA Regulation also reflects the growing importance of supply chain resilience. EU member states and the European Commission are expected to participate in monitoring supply risks and identifying potential weak points affecting strategic sectors. In practice, companies operating in industries such as automotive manufacturing, renewable energy, electronics, rail transport, and advanced manufacturing may face increasing expectations regarding supply chain transparency and risk management.

At the same time, the CRMA Regulation acknowledges that international cooperation is still very important. EU continues to develop strategic partnerships with countries rich in raw materials and works in direction of establishing a trade and investment framework that will make it easier to access critical raw materials. In this context, the Regulation complements broader EU initiatives, including the Net-Zero Industry Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1735), the European Green Deal, and the EU Industrial Strategy.

For businesses, the importance of the CRMA Regulation reaches further than the mining sector. Changes in procurement strategies, supply chain requirements, and investment opportunities resulting from the regulation may affect manufacturers, infrastructure operators, investors, and companies involved in international trade. It is also expected that the implementation of new projects in the areas of extraction, processing, and recycling within the European Union will contribute to economic revitalization across many sectors.

Grzegorz Kłodkowski