Major mining and refining companies have warned that proposed EU workplace safety regulations for cobalt could severely damage Europe’s ability to build a domestic supply chain for the strategic metal, deepening dependence on China and the US.
In a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, executives from 12 companies and industry associations — including Glencore and Umicore — said the new exposure limits for inhaled cobalt dust were already discouraging investment in the region.
Industry: Proposed Limits “Too Restrictive”
The Commission has proposed a maximum occupational exposure limit of 0.01 mg/m³, far stricter than standards in:
- China: 0.05 mg/m³
- United Kingdom: 0.1 mg/m³
- United States: higher variable limits depending on state and workplace rules
Companies argue that the tighter EU limit would make operations uncompetitive and force production to move overseas. The industry prefers a 0.02 mg/m³ limit instead.
“The damage is already being felt,” the letter said, adding that companies have begun diverting investment outside the EU due to the stricter rules.
Strategic Concerns for Europe
The dispute comes at a critical moment as Europe tries to secure supplies of essential raw materials for electric vehicles, batteries, defence systems, and digital infrastructure.
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act aims to build a secure and sustainable supply chain for metals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths.
However, the industry argues the new cobalt safety proposal would undermine these goals, warning:
- One in six European cobalt facilities could close
- The EU cobalt workforce could shrink significantly
- Europe’s vulnerability to external suppliers would increase
“Adopting these rules would decimate Europe’s cobalt value chain,” the executives wrote.
International Competition Intensifies
Other major economies are rapidly securing their own mineral supply chains:
- The US has made aggressive moves, including a $400mn investment in rare-earth producer MP Materials and new supply agreements with Japan.
- China, facing US tariffs, imposed export controls on some rare earth materials in April, adding urgency to global resource competition.
In contrast, EU officials face criticism for advancing domestic regulations that industry leaders say could push production out of Europe entirely.
Health vs. Competitiveness
The European Commission maintains the 0.01 mg/m³ limit is necessary to reduce risks of:
- Lung disease
- Kidney damage
- Liver problems
The proposal, introduced in July, still requires approval from EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.
The Commission confirmed receipt of the industry letter and said it would respond in due course.
Rising Demand
Brussels estimates that European demand for cobalt will increase fivefold by 2030, driven largely by electric vehicles and energy storage technologies. But without viable mining and refining capacity, industry executives say Europe risks sliding further behind global competitors.
