Main factors influencing the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act in Poland

The paper presents the most important issues related to the introduction of EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) in May 2024. This fact results in numerous new obligations on EU Member States connected with various actions to develop supplies of 34 critical raw materials (CRM) for EU, but especially of 17 strategic raw materials for EU. In-depth analysis has shown that the implementation of CRMA in Poland requires the adoption of an appropriate domestic act on ensuring access to CRM, which will take into account also raw materials important for the national economy. This new domestic act is planned to introduce permanent mechanism of preparation of the National Mineral Policy of Poland. The currently valid National Mineral Policy of Poland will be replaced in the coming year by a new one, which has to take into account all issues resulting from introduction of CRMA and its implementation in Poland. The provisions of this new National Mineral Policy of Poland must remain in close correlation not only with CRMA provisions, but also with: projected future domestic demand for raw materials critical for EU and important for the national economy, planned amendments to the Geological and Mining Law, expected introduction of multi-annual plans of the state geological survey, preparation, acceptance and commencement of the National Program for the Exploration of Critical Raw Materials, implementation of system of strategic deposits and institution of anthropogenic deposits, as well as the plan for international cooperation in the field of geology and raw materials. These activities are also aimed at improving the investment climate in the raw materials sector in Poland, which would result in the development of Polish production of some CRM from primary and secondary sources, also through the instrument of strategic projects according to CRMA.

---

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).