Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (CRMA)
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Summary
Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishes an EU framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, including strategic raw materials, by strengthening EU capacities and reducing dependencies. It sets 2030 benchmarks for EU extraction, processing and recycling and introduces a diversification target for supply from third countries. It creates a system for recognising “Strategic Projects” with coordinated and streamlined permitting and provides for monitoring, risk preparedness and governance via a European Critical Raw Materials Board.
Who is affected?
Member States’ competent authorities (notably permitting, monitoring, and preparedness), project promoters across the raw materials value chain (extraction, processing, recycling), and downstream industries that rely on critical and strategic raw materials (e.g., clean tech, digital, defence and aerospace supply chains).
Scope
Applies to critical raw materials and strategic raw materials listed under the Regulation and covers measures across the value chain (extraction, processing, recycling and substitution), including permitting, strategic projects, monitoring and supply-risk mitigation.
Key Points
- Sets 2030 benchmarks for strategic raw materials: at least 10% of EU annual consumption extracted in the EU, 40% processed in the EU, and 25% recycled in the EU.
- Introduces a diversification objective: no more than 65% of the EU’s annual consumption of each strategic raw material at any relevant processing stage should come from a single third country.
- Establishes a recognition framework for “Strategic Projects” (including EU and, where applicable, third-country projects) and provides for coordinated support and streamlined/accelerated permitting procedures.
- Requires Member States to designate or establish a single point of contact to coordinate the permit-granting process for relevant projects and facilitate electronic submission of documentation.
- Creates a European Critical Raw Materials Board to support coordination, advice and implementation (including work on financing, exploration, monitoring, strategic stocks, circularity and international partnerships).
- Provides for monitoring and reporting on supply risks and progress, and for updating the lists of critical and strategic raw materials through delegated acts.
Related Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must comply with Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (CRMA)?
Member States’ competent authorities, project promoters in the raw materials value chain (extraction, processing, recycling), and downstream industries relying on critical and strategic raw materials must comply with CRMA.
What is the scope of the CRMA?
CRMA applies to critical and strategic raw materials listed in the Regulation and covers the entire value chain, including extraction, processing, recycling, substitution, permitting, monitoring, and supply-risk mitigation.
What are the 2030 benchmarks set by the CRMA?
By 2030, at least 10% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials should be extracted in the EU, 40% processed in the EU, and 25% recycled in the EU.
What is the diversification objective under the CRMA?
No more than 65% of the EU’s annual consumption of each strategic raw material at any relevant processing stage should come from a single third country, to reduce dependency.
How does the CRMA support Strategic Projects?
The CRMA establishes a recognition framework for Strategic Projects, offering coordinated support, streamlined and accelerated permitting procedures, and potential access to financing and other EU-level assistance.
What are the key obligations for Member States under the CRMA?
Member States must designate a single point of contact for permit coordination, facilitate electronic documentation, monitor supply risks, and report progress towards benchmarks and objectives.
What penalties or enforcement mechanisms exist under the CRMA?
While the Regulation itself does not specify penalties, Member States are responsible for ensuring compliance and may establish penalties for infringements in accordance with EU law.
How does the CRMA interact with other EU regulations?
CRMA complements existing EU legislation on environmental protection, waste management, and industrial policy, and its provisions are coordinated with other relevant frameworks to avoid duplication and ensure consistency.
What practical steps should project promoters take to comply with the CRMA?
Project promoters should engage with the designated single point of contact in their Member State, prepare necessary documentation for permitting, monitor compliance with benchmarks, and consider applying for Strategic Project status if eligible.
How are the lists of critical and strategic raw materials updated under the CRMA?
The European Commission is empowered to update the lists of critical and strategic raw materials through delegated acts, based on monitoring, risk assessments, and market developments.
Key Terms
- Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)
- Raw materials essential for the EU economy, with high supply risk and significant economic importance, as listed in the Regulation.
- Strategic Raw Materials (SRMs)
- A subset of critical raw materials deemed vital for key technologies and sectors, subject to specific benchmarks and diversification targets.
- Strategic Projects
- Projects recognized under the Regulation as crucial for securing the EU’s supply of critical or strategic raw materials, benefiting from streamlined permitting and coordinated support.
- European Critical Raw Materials Board
- A governance body established by the Regulation to coordinate implementation, advise on policy, and support Member States and stakeholders.
- Single Point of Contact
- A designated authority in each Member State responsible for coordinating the permit-granting process and facilitating communication for relevant projects.
- Diversification Objective
- A requirement that no more than 65% of the EU’s annual consumption of any strategic raw material at any processing stage comes from a single third country.
- Permit-granting Process
- The procedures and requirements for obtaining official approval for extraction, processing, or recycling projects under the Regulation.
- Delegated Acts
- Legal instruments allowing the European Commission to update technical aspects of the Regulation, such as the lists of critical and strategic raw materials.
- Supply-risk Mitigation
- Measures to reduce the EU’s vulnerability to disruptions in the supply of critical and strategic raw materials, including monitoring, diversification, and strategic stocks.
- Circularity
- The principle of increasing recycling and reuse of raw materials to reduce dependency on primary extraction and enhance sustainability.