The European Parliament adopted the report by Nicola Beer (Renew Europe, German) on the “Critical Raw Materials Act” on Thursday 14 September (515 votes in favour, 34 against and 28 abstentions). MEPs also approved the decision to open inter-institutional negotiations with the Council. The Council adopted its position in June (see EUROPE 13213/8).
Ms Beer’s report, which was adopted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry (ITRE) (see EUROPE 13245/1), underwent a number of changes during the plenary vote. These include adding aluminium to the list of strategic raw materials, as called for by the EPP. However, other amendments to add tin, uranium and coking coal were not approved by the assembly.
The EPP group also succeeded in incorporating consideration of strategic secondary raw materials into the text. This is transformed waste, such as ferrous scrap. According to the report adopted, the Commission will have to submit a list of secondary and strategic materials within 6 months of the adoption of the regulation.
For its part, the Greens/EFA group welcomed the inclusion of additional environmental and human criteria for projects, such as limiting extraction activities in protected areas.
After the vote, the rapporteur of the text indicated that she wanted to have the text adopted before Christmas. “We are counting on the urgency and relevance of the secure and sustainable supply of raw materials being as much of a concern for Member States as it is for us, the people’s representatives."”. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)