Statement on The Critical Raw Materials Act: ITRE Committee Votes to Endorse the Draft Report

On 7 September 2023, the ITRE Committee adopted the draft report for the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) of the rapporteur Nicola Beer.

EASE is delighted to welcome the legislative development of the upcoming Critical Raw Materials Act as a step towards more sustainable, sovereign and fair energy transition in Europe.

CRMA represents a significant step towards managing and securing the availability of raw materials that are essential to the energy transition and production of transition technologies, including energy storage. Identifying these materials helps governments and economic operators prioritize their management and ensure they remain accessible.

EASE fully supports due diligence policies as the European Union must ensure that raw materials used in energy transition technologies, including energy storage, are sourced responsibly, with due consideration for social and environmental standards.

It is excellent that the Act encourages the development of sustainable sourcing practices and recycling initiatives for critical raw materials. This emphasis on sustainability aligns with broader environmental and resource conservation goals, ensuring that the extraction and use of these materials are carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

EASE also acknowledges the importance of reducing dependency on external sources as another key aspect of the act. This involves diversifying sources of raw materials, supporting domestic mining and production capabilities, and fostering international cooperation to secure supply chains. By doing so, the EU can decrease their vulnerability to global market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions that may affect the availability of these materials.

CRMA serves as a comprehensive strategy to safeguard industrial base and advance sustainability goals. It is a welcome step towards the EU sovereignty , innovation, social due diligence and circularity of the materials.

Next steps:

• Vote in plenary
• Trilogues