EU: Critical Raw Materials Act – Commission Implementing Act establishing a strategic project application template

 

The EU Commission has published a template for strategic project application under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

This initiative introduces a single, standardised application template for use by project promoters seeking recognition of a project as a ‘Strategic Project’ under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252. The requirement for this template is set out in Article 7(2) of the Regulation.

Regulation (EU) 2024/1252—particularly Articles 6 and 7—defines the criteria and process for the recognition of critical raw material projects as Strategic Projects. In line with Article 7(2), project promoters must use the prescribed template when submitting an application for such recognition.

The template is designed to ensure that all necessary information is provided to the European Commission to enable a thorough assessment of the application, in accordance with the criteria outlined in Article 7(1). All submissions must be made electronically using this unified format.

To support consistency and transparency across applications, the template provided in Annex I of this Regulation offers a visual structure and specifies the required level of detail for each information field to be completed by project promoters.

A “Strategic Project” under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) is a project recognized for its significant contribution to securing and diversifying the EU’s supply of critical raw materials. These projects, which can be located within or outside the EU, receive preferential treatment, including streamlined permitting and access to financing, to accelerate their development. The CRMA aims to boost domestic extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials to meet EU demand and reduce reliance on external suppliers.