The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) welcomes the outcome of the vote on the EU‘s Raw Materials Act in the European Parliament‘s committee for industry, research and energy (ITRE) on Thursday. It "reflects the recycling industry’s concerns and recommendations", the umbrella organisation commented.
According to EuRIC, the ITRE report addresses critical issues, such as the preservation of the definition of large companies, ensuring transparency in assessing strategic raw materials and prioritising projects related to material recovery, extractive waste, integrated recycling and SME applications.
The industry organisation is particularly pleased with an amendment related to the recycled content of permanent magnets. "The adopted report advances the date for laying down minimum recycled content targets, with the Parliament proposing that the Commission will have until 31 December 2030 to adopt delegated acts supplementing this Regulation by laying down minimum shares for the materials recovered from post-consumer waste. While EuRIC had called for the date to be advanced to 2025, the outcome is still a major development compared to the Commission’s proposal", the umbrella body said.
EuRIC says it is also highly satisfied with the lists of strategic and critical raw materials (CRM) which were left unchanged, thus preventing the inclusion of "materials that do not meet the requirements needed (such as ferrous scrap, aluminium, nickel, etc.)". In EuRIC's view, "the report signifies a positive step toward promoting the use of secondary raw materials that can be used instead of or alongside primary critical raw materials, including materials originating from metal scraps and end-of-life products."
"Incorporating elements from both the Commission’s proposal and the majority of EuRIC’s input, the Parliament’s decision to promote the use of secondary critical raw materials and increased transparency is a positive step towards circularity. The adopted report is a resounding victory for recyclers, underscoring our industry’s substantial influence," said Emmanuel Katrakis, EuRIC's secretary general.
Strong support in the Committee
The draft introducing amendments to the EU Commission‘s original proposal was adopted in the committee with a strong majority: 53 votes in favour, one against, with 5 abstentions. It will now be debated next Wednesday during the 11-14 September plenary session in Strasbourg and put to a vote on Thursday. The result of that vote will form the negotiating mandate for the EU Parliament‘s delegation in the upcoming trilogue talks with representatives of the Council in which they will work towards a compromise text for the Raw Materials Act.
"With a strong majority, the Industry Committee sends a strong signal ahead of the trilogue. The agreed report provides a clear blueprint for European security of supply, with a research and innovation boost along the entire value chain," German MEP Nicola Beer (Renew) commented after the vote. Ms Beer is leading the committee's work on the legislative project as rapporteur.
According to the MEP, the report aims to deliver fast and simple approval processes and reduced red tape. "In response to geopolitical upheavals, it creates the preconditions to offer targeted economic incentives to private investors in the context of production and recycling in Europe. At the same time, it builds on the expansion of strategic partnerships with third countries. The foundation for Europe's course towards open, economic and geopolitical sovereignty has been laid,” Ms Beer said.
