The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) aims to secure the supply of critical raw materials to the EU. By 2030, 10 percent of Europe‘s consumption of critical raw materials is to be covered by domestic extraction, 40 percent by domestic processing and 15 percent by recycling. However, the Commission's proposal focuses one-sidedly on securing the largest possible raw volumes and fails to take into account the need to reduce consumption.

From AK's point of view, the planned strengthening of European capacities in mining and processing is generally to be welcomed, but the legal framework of the strategic projects envisaged for this raises problems. The details of the strategic projects must in any case be enacted in the form of a directive. Trade unions and civil society must be structurally involved in the work of the Critical Raw Materials Board. Furthermore, EU raw materials policy must not discourage countries in the Global South from developing their own processing and industries.