The raw materials initiative : meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 4 November 2008 setting out a revised strategy to address critical needs in the European Union (EU) for raw materials.

Further information:

Raw materials are essential for many products manufactured in Europe and for the sustainable functioning of modern societies. Access to and affordability of mineral raw materials are crucial for the sound functioning of the European economy. Securing reliable and undistorted access to raw materials is therefore increasingly an important factor for the EU's competitiveness and, hence, crucial to the success of the Lisbon Strategy. The critical dependence of the EU on certain raw materials underlines that a shift towards a more resource-efficient economy and sustainable development has become even more pressing.

This Communication is a first step to deliver on the request from the Council of the European Union in May 2007 that the Commission develops a coherent EU policy response to those challenges. It also follows up on the results of a public consultation undertaken earlier in the year. It aims to help the European Union to form a common approach in the international discussion on raw materials. While this Communication focuses on non-energy minerals, the underlying analysis and the proposed measures, in particular with regard to trade distortions of third countries, apply to a high degree to other non-energy raw materials (such as wood), which are faced with similar supply constraints and threats to competitiveness as a result of market distortions.

Official

EUR-Lex: SEC(2008)2741: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SEC:2008:2741:FIN

European Commission: Press Release, 04/11/2008: European Commission proposes new strategy to address EU critical needs for raw materials https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_08_1628

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