Cobalt Institute Statement on the EU Interinstitutional Agreement on the Cobalt Occupational Exposure Limit

On 23 June – counter to Europe’s ambitions for defence, strategic autonomy, competitiveness and a circular economy – the European Commission, Council and Parliament agreed a proposal that will decimate Europe’s cobalt industry.

The proposal to introduce an Occupational Exposure Limit at 10 µg Co/m³ (inhalable) and 2.5 µg Co/m³ (respirable) after a 6-year transition period, will result in as many as 1,550 site closures and 110,000 site closures, particularly affecting battery precursor manufacturing (70% reduction), recycling (32% reduction) and aerospace superalloy manufacturing (21% reduction).

If the European Commission is serious about critical and strategic raw materials, then it needs to reverse course before it’s too late.