Critical Minerals

European Parliament To Hold Final Vote On New EU Foreign Investment Screening Regulation

The European Parliament signalled in a May 2026 pre-session briefing that its plenary is expected to give final approval to a new EU regulation tightening screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services. If adopted as proposed, this will make EU-wide foreign investment screening a routine compliance gate for cross-border deals in these sectors, with more harmonised criteria and closer EU-level coordination around security and public-order risks.

15 May 2026, 18:34europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Circulates Draft EU–US Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Action Plan

In March 2026, the EU Council circulated a draft EU–US Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan establishing a non-binding Strategic Partnership on critical minerals and supply chain resilience. While it creates no immediate legal duties, it signals coordinated EU–US moves toward joint investment, faster permitting, crisis stockpiling and a potential plurilateral trade agreement and standards regime that could materially reshape critical-mineral sourcing and due diligence expectations.

15 May 2026, 16:17data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionUnited States

EU Council Prepares to Authorise Signature of Non-Binding EU–US Critical Minerals Partnership MoU and Action Plan

In March 2026 the EU Council moved to clear a non-binding EU–US Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan on critical minerals, preparing to authorise the Commission to sign both instruments. While imposing no direct obligations yet, this partnership signals closer transatlantic coordination on critical mineral supply chains and potential future trade or regulatory measures affecting sourcing, diversification and demand-side policies.

15 May 2026, 16:16data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionUnited States

Missouri Bill SB1553 Moves to House Third-Reading Calendar for Critical Materials and Pharmaceuticals Incentives

Missouri’s SB1553, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act, would create new tax credits and grants for companies investing in facilities that produce federally defined critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals, and has advanced to the House informal third-reading calendar as of 15 May 2026. If enacted, this programme could significantly shape where manufacturers locate new critical materials and pharmaceutical capacity in Missouri from 2027 onwards, offering sizeable incentives alongside new application, qualification, and reporting steps to secure support.

15 May 2026, 13:25senate.mo.govUnited States

EU Council Presidency Proposes Amendments to Batteries Regulation on Producer Scope, QR Codes and SVHC Disclosure

The EU Council presidency has tabled a compromise text to amend the Batteries Regulation, widening the producer definition, aligning SVHC disclosure with REACH/CLP, and mandating QR‑coded battery passports and LMT battery removability from 18 February 2027. If agreed, these changes will clarify who is legally responsible for battery labelling and digital passports, expand data on SVHCs and critical raw materials, and increase design and information‑management demands for battery and equipment manufacturers and importers.

15 May 2026, 12:20data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Council of the EU Sets Competitiveness Agenda for 28–29 May 2026 on Industrial Accelerator Act, EU Inc and SPC Reforms

The Council of the EU’s Competitiveness ministers will meet on 28–29 May 2026 to debate the Industrial Accelerator Act, EU Inc corporate framework, SPC reforms, Critical Raw Materials amendments and the Horizon Europe 2028–2034 package. These agenda signals show where Council negotiations are heading on industrial and chemical‑relevant files, helping companies anticipate potential shifts in R&D incentives, market access conditions and critical raw material requirements.

14 May 2026, 19:26data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament Study on Energy Transition and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

In May 2026 the European Parliament’s Development Committee published study PE 783.613 assessing how EU energy-transition policies, critical raw-material supply chains, green hydrogen projects and international carbon-credit use affect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in partner countries. The analysis and recommendations signal that future EU legislation, funding instruments and partnerships in these areas are likely to embed stronger human-rights, free, prior and informed consent and due-diligence safeguards, raising expectations on companies and financiers involved in these value chains.

14 May 2026, 18:43europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Missouri SB 1553 Advances in House; Would Incentivise Critical Materials and Pharmaceuticals Production

Missouri’s SB 1553, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act, has advanced to House Fiscal Review and would from 1 January 2027 offer transferable tax credits, sales and use tax exemptions, and a $10 million grant fund to support in-state production of critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals. If enacted, the programme could significantly shift investment decisions toward Missouri for large defence and pharmaceutical supply-chain projects by covering up to 25 percent of qualifying capital costs, but with stringent eligibility, verification, and sunset provisions that companies must factor into long-term planning.

14 May 2026, 09:27senate.mo.govUnited States

Havtil Opinion Piece Calls for Clear Seabed Minerals Strategy on Norwegian Continental Shelf

Norway’s offshore safety regulator has published a non-binding opinion article highlighting the need for a clear, security-driven strategy for potential seabed mineral extraction on the Norwegian continental shelf and the strategic role of critical minerals for Western supply chains. While it does not create new legal duties, it signals that any future deep-sea mining activity will be expected to meet world-leading standards on health, safety, environmental protection, knowledge building, and emergency preparedness.

14 May 2026, 05:56havtil.noNorway

EU Executive Vice-President Commits to PFAS Restriction Proposal After ECHA Opinion, Outlines Industrial Accelerator and Circular Economy Acts

In a 05 May 2026 hearing with the European Parliament’s ENVI committee, a European Commission Executive Vice-President confirmed plans to propose an EU-wide PFAS restriction under REACH once ECHA’s final opinions are delivered and trailed new Industrial Accelerator and Circular Economy Acts. This signals that PFAS controls and circular-economy obligations will likely tighten over the next few years, so chemicals and manufacturing companies should prepare for stricter PFAS phase-out, more harmonised EPR and digital product passport regimes, and support measures favouring low-carbon EU production.

13 May 2026, 19:34multimedia.europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

US House Introduces Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act (H.R. 8560)

In April 2026, the US House introduced H.R. 8560 to authorise a major Department of Energy programme for advanced vehicle technologies spanning electrification, batteries, hydrogen and alternative fuels, safety, infrastructure and mobility systems research. If enacted, this long-term funding package through 2031 would accelerate EV and non-road decarbonisation R&D, shaping future safety standards, technology choices and supply chains for batteries, critical materials and low-carbon transport solutions.

13 May 2026, 11:57govinfo.govUnited States

Missouri House Rules Committee Advances SB 1553 on Critical Materials and Pharmaceutical Tax Incentives

A Missouri bill (SB 1553) to create tax incentives and grants for companies producing designated critical materials and pharmaceuticals has advanced, with the House Rules Committee reporting it “do pass” in May 2026. If enacted, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act could make the state more attractive for capital investment in critical materials and pharma supply chains, influencing site selection and long-term sourcing strategies rather than imposing immediate compliance obligations.

12 May 2026, 18:53senate.mo.govUnited States

EU Parliament Draft Regulation on Screening of Foreign Investments in Strategic Sectors

In May 2026 the European Parliament published Amendment 299 containing its full draft regulation to replace the EU’s foreign direct investment screening framework, significantly widening mandatory screening across dual-use technologies, semiconductors, strategic raw materials, critical infrastructure and critical medicines with an 18‑month transition period after entry into force. If adopted broadly as drafted, this will tighten scrutiny of foreign investments into EU chemical, technology and healthcare assets, increasing the likelihood that transactions involving strategic inputs or critical products will require prior authorisation, face coordinated multi-country conditions, or in high-risk cases be blocked.

12 May 2026, 18:13europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Authorises Signing of EU-Mexico Modernised Global and Interim Trade Agreements

In May 2026 the EU Council authorised signing of a modernised EU-Mexico partnership agreement and an interim trade agreement that will, once ratified, remove most remaining tariffs, strengthen cooperation and embed robust sustainable development and climate commitments. For European exporters in agri-food, machinery, pharmaceuticals and other sectors, this signals upcoming changes to market access, customs procedures, critical raw materials cooperation and trade rules with Mexico, making it important to track ratification and implementation timelines.

12 May 2026, 15:19consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionMexico

China State Council Approves Draft Mineral Resources Law Implementation Regulation

China’s State Council has approved the draft Regulation for the Implementation of the Mineral Resources Law at its 9 May 2026 executive meeting, signalling imminent detailed rules on mineral resource governance. This points to stricter full-chain management, a formal strategic minerals catalogue, and stronger reserve and emergency requirements that could reshape licensing, investment, and supply security planning for mining and mineral-intensive industries.

11 May 2026, 12:07mofcom.gov.cnChina

US House Introduces H.R. 8681 on Sanctions for Forced Labor in Cobalt Mining

In May 2026, a new US House bill (H.R. 8681) was introduced to impose sanctions on foreign persons that employ forced or child labor in cobalt mining abroad. If it advances, this proposal could materially raise sanctions and reputational risks for cobalt-linked supply chains, reinforcing expectations for human-rights due diligence and supplier screening.

9 May 2026, 19:12govinfo.govUnited States

EU Commission Confirms Targeted Review of Water Framework Directive Following Call for Evidence

The European Commission has confirmed, in an 8 May 2026 answer to the European Parliament, that it will carry out a targeted review and revision of the EU Water Framework Directive following a March–April call for evidence focused on water legislation and critical raw materials permitting. This signals potential future adjustments to Water Framework Directive-based permitting and environmental quality requirements for critical raw material projects, so EU operators and authorities in the critical raw materials value chain should closely monitor the review for upcoming compliance impacts.

9 May 2026, 19:08europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Nova Scotia Issues Industrial Approval for Antrim Gypsum Mine

Nova Scotia has issued a 10-year industrial approval under the provincial Environment Act for CertainTeed’s Antrim Gypsum Project, a low-carbon open-pit gypsum and anhydrite mine near Carrolls Corner, with operations expected to begin in 2027. The permit imposes stringent conditions on air, noise, surface and groundwater protection, monitoring and reclamation security of more than $11 million, signalling robust oversight of critical-mineral mining projects and tighter expectations for environmental-risk management in the province.

9 May 2026, 13:22news.novascotia.caCanada

European Parliament ITRE Mission Report on EU–Japan Cooperation in Semiconductors, Batteries and Critical Raw Materials

The European Parliament’s ITRE Committee has published a mission report on its late‑March 2026 visit to Tokyo, highlighting EU–Japan cooperation on semiconductors, batteries, hydrogen and critical raw materials, and the importance of resilient, diversified supply chains over the coming years. For manufacturers and suppliers, this is a non‑binding but credible signal that forthcoming EU industrial, trade and energy policy will continue to prioritise secure access to strategic technologies and raw materials, deepening partnerships with Japan and potentially accelerating initiatives on battery, semiconductor and critical‑minerals value chains.

9 May 2026, 07:20europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionJapan

Brazilian Chamber Approves PL 2780/2024 Tax-Credit Programme for Critical and Strategic Minerals

In May 2026 Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved bill PL 2780/2024 to establish a national policy and BRL 5 billion tax-credit programme for domestic processing and recycling of critical and strategic minerals, sending the proposal on to the Federal Senate. If enacted, this framework will channel capital and localisation requirements into Brazilian critical-mineral value chains, influencing long-term sourcing, investment and project siting decisions for companies exposed to Brazil’s mining and advanced materials sectors.

9 May 2026, 07:10camara.leg.brBrazil