Communication on the review of the list of critical raw materials for the EU and the implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative

This Communication follows the Report of 24 June 2013 on the implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative. It presents the new list of critical raw materials and provides, in the conclusions, an overview of the upcoming activities related to the Raw Materials Initiative, the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials and the part of Horizon 2020 that concerns raw materials. A parallel Staff Working Document summarizes the work done over last year under the three pillars of the Raw Materials Initiative as well as cross-cutting activities.

In the 2011 Communication on raw materials, the Commission formally adopted a list of 14 ‘critical’ raw materials (i.e. raw materials with a high supply-risk and a high economic importance) and said that it would continue to monitor the situation to identify priority actions. It also undertook to review and update the list at least every three years. This Communication includes therefore a revised list of critical raw materials for the European Union.

The purpose of the list is to contribute to the implementation of the EU industrial policy and to ensure that European industrial competitiveness is strengthened through actions in other policy areas. This should increase the overall competitiveness of the EU economy, in line with the Commission's aspiration of raising industry’s contribution to GDP to as much as 20% by 2020. It should also help to incentivise the European production of critical raw materials and facilitate the launching of new mining activities.

The list is also being used to help prioritise needs and actions. For example, it serves as a supporting element when negotiating trade agreements, challenging trade distortion measures or promoting research and innovation. Information on its use by Member States and industry is, however, very scarce. It is also worth emphasising that all raw materials, even if not classed as critical, are important for the European economy and that a given raw material and its availability to the European economy should therefore not be neglected just because it is not classed as critical.

EUR-Lex: SWD(2014)171: Commission Staff Working Document on the implementation of the Raw Materials Initiative http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2014:171:FIN

ESO: Background information: 20 critical raw materials - major challenge for EU industry http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-20-critical-raw-materials-major-challenge-for-eu-industry/

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