EU: European Parliament and Council agree on Critical Raw Materials Act
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"EU agrees mineral supply targets to cut reliance on China"
Negotiators for EU governments and the European Parliament reached a deal on Monday (13 November) on targets for domestic supply of critical minerals such as lithium and nickel to reduce its reliance on third countries, principally China. [...]
The political agreement now needs to be formally approved by both Parliament and Council in order to become law โ a process that is usually a rubber-stamping exercise. It will be put to a vote in the Parliamentโs industry, research and energy committee (ITRE) on 7 December. [...]
Higher recycling goal
According to the new benchmark agreed by negotiators, the EU will aim to recycle at least 25% of its annual consumption of strategic raw materials by 2030 โ up from 15% in the Commissionโs original proposal.
The recycling goal will be based on materials collected from consumer waste rather than the EUโs annual consumption, a change in the calculation method that will be expounded by the European Commission in an implementing act to be adopted in 2027. Meeting the target will not be a legally-binding obligation on EU countries, however. [...]
The new law will also ensure โthe highest environmental and social standards,โ he added in a statement, saying the Commission will now โwork with EU members to identify strategic projects that will benefit from shorter and more efficient permitting procedures and easier access to financeโ.
#CriticalRawMaterialsAct was agreed upon right now- in extreme speed compromising human rights and environmental standards https://t.co/NjrjhSEspN
โ Johanna_Sydow (@JohannaSydow) November 13, 2023