The European Commission has announced new measures to advance the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy. These initiatives, part of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), include four pieces of secondary legislation and a communication aimed at enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s industry while reducing its carbon footprint.
The new rules define which manufacturing projects can benefit from specific provisions in the Act, such as permitting, strategic project status, and non-price criteria. This is intended to scale up net-zero technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the EU’s clean tech industry.
One of the adopted acts clarifies components primarily used for net-zero technologies under the NZIA. It specifies key components for which NZIA requirements will apply, thus bolstering EU manufacturing in this sector.
Additionally, rules on non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions have been established. These criteria include responsible business conduct, cybersecurity, sustainability, and resilience contributions. Starting December 30, 2025, these rules must be applied to 30% of auction volumes or 6 GW per year per EU country. The act aims to harmonize how Member States apply these rules while providing some flexibility.
The Commission also adopted an act listing net-zero technology final products and their main specific components. This list helps identify products that may require applying the “resilience” non-price criterion in public procurement and renewable energy auctions when there is excessive dependency on a single supply source.
A Communication was issued regarding shares of Union supply for net-zero technologies. It highlights third-country dependencies for specific technologies and supports diversifying technology sources through public procurement processes.
Furthermore, common criteria for selecting strategic projects were introduced. Projects with “strategic project” status receive priority treatment at the national level, ensuring rapid administrative processing and financial advice. The act provides guidance on selection criteria such as “first-of-a-kind,” “best available technology,” and “significant manufacturing capacity.”
These texts incorporate feedback received earlier this year and follow discussions among Member States’ experts’ groups and committees. The European Parliament and Council now have a two-month scrutiny period for the Delegated Act but not for today’s Implementing Acts.
For further information about these developments or media inquiries, contact spokespersons Lea Zuber (+32 2 29 56298), Anna-Kaisa Itkonen (+32 2 29 57501), press officer Federica Miccoli (+32 2 29 58300), or Ana Crespo Parrondo (+32 2 29 81325).
