EU Adopts Implementing Regulation Listing Critical Raw Materials Recovery-Potential Waste Streams

The European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1116 on 26 May 2026, listing the products, components and waste streams considered to have relevant critical raw materials recovery potential under the Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252). The measure operationalises the Act's circularity provisions by identifying which waste streams fall within scope of enhanced recovery and recycling obligations for critical raw materials such as those used in batteries, magnets and electronics.

• Formally lists products, components and waste streams with relevant critical raw materials recovery potential
• Implements Article provisions of the 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act on circularity and secondary supply
• Targets recovery of materials including cobalt, rare earths, lithium and other strategic inputs from waste streams
• Feeds into national recovery-rate and recycling capacity obligations under the CRMA