© European Commission
The European Commission will use the methodology and criteria developed by the EU’s Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA) as a starting point to identify a narrower selection of the bloc’s most critical molecules, rather than automatically adopting the 49 previously identified.
In a statement following the General Assembly on 8 October, trade union federation industriAll Europe said Stéphane Séjourné (pictured), the Commission’s executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy, had announced a targeted list of "around ten" critical chemical molecules by the end of the year. The Commission did not specify a number in response to questions from Chemical Watch News & Insight, saying only that it would work with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to identify a more limited list of the most critical molecules using the alliance’s methodology and findings.
The exercise will prioritise chemicals essential for strategic sectors such as defence, healthcare and clean technologies, as well as basic building-block chemicals that underpin multiple industrial value chains.
Séjourné added that the Commission would enter an implementation phase focused on identifying critical chemical production, strengthening measures to protect domestic industries from unfair international trade practices, supporting industrial investment, and creating markets for low-carbon and sustainable chemicals.
"Europe must maintain its capacity to produce the molecules on which its industry, its health and its defence depend," Séjourné said in a LinkedIn post published on the day of the assembly.
The Commission’s approach suggests it is unlikely to adopt the alliance’s recommendations in full.
"Certain recommendations require further technical assessment and consultation before they can be translated into operational measures," the Commission said, adding that the executive would continue to engage with stakeholders as it develops its next steps.
The comments contrast with calls from parts of industry for a rapid shift from analysis to implementation.
Cefic said the alliance had already produced a methodology for identifying critical molecules and production sites, recommendations on trade defence and proposals to stimulate demand for low-carbon and circular products.
"The diagnosis is clear, and the recommendations are on the table," said Sylvie Lemoine, Cefic’s deputy director general. "What matters now is implementation."
Plastics Europe also urged the Commission to move quickly from analysis to action, with a focus on implementation, investment support and strategic value chains.
Lead markets
The Commission has signalled that further work is needed on the alliance’s recommendations on lead markets, which are ways to create early demand for products, technologies and services.
As a first step, the Commission will ask the JRC to develop definitions for low-carbon and sustainable-carbon chemicals, saying common definitions would provide a framework for future policy measures and give greater clarity to industry.
The EU executive will explore tools to stimulate demand and increase the use of alternative feedstocks, including sustainable biomass, recycled materials and captured carbon dioxide.
The Commission also said downstream users, particularly SMEs, would be closely involved in developing future measures to ensure the transition remains economically viable throughout chemical value chains.
Reassurance and concerns
The Commission’s clarifications may provide some reassurance to downstream sectors that raised concerns during the alliance process.
The Downstream Users of Chemicals Co-ordination Group (DUCC) said it would abstain from voting on the alliance's report on lead markets and demand-side measures that stimulate uptake of certain products and services, citing disagreement over proposals including mandatory content targets, levies and certificate schemes.
FEICA urged careful assessment of future measures, while lubricant association UEIL said Europe should focus on critical value chains rather than individual molecules alone.
Environmental groups, meanwhile, welcomed what they see as a more selective Commission approach.
In a statement issued after the General Assembly, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) said Séjourné’s comments suggested the Commission would scrutinise the alliance’s conclusions rather than simply endorse them.
It also welcomed plans for a shorter selection of critical molecules and said implementation should remain aligned with broader EU chemicals policy objectives.
"The chemical industry’s wish list went too far in seeking preferential treatment for toxic, fossil-based production and weaker environmental, climate and chemicals rules," said Tatiana Santos, head of chemicals policy at the EEB.
The EEB’s comments come after it joined ChemSec in leaving the alliance, saying the initiative risked weakening environmental safeguards while protecting existing production.
Attention is now turning to which proposals survive Commission scrutiny and how Europe balances industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy and investment needs with environmental and health objectives.