Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, in a written answer on 1 July 2026, stressed that any strategic project designation under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) requires an overall assessment of compliance with EU environmental law, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Water Framework Directive. The answer, responding to a question by Greens/EFA MEPs Maria Ohisalo and Ville Niinistö, signals that the Commission will not grant strategic status to projects that circumvent environmental rules, while leaving final permitting decisions to national authorities.
The question raised concerns about the Sokli mining project in Finland, which had its environmental and water permits rejected by Finland's Supreme Administrative Court in 2022 due to significant environmental risks. The MEPs asked whether the Commission would verify full compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, assess compatibility with the Water Framework Directive, and clarify if projects that previously failed to obtain permits could qualify as strategic projects.
Séjourné's answer confirms that the second selection round of strategic projects under the CRMA is ongoing, with assessments conducted by external experts and the Critical Raw Materials Board. He noted that the Commission cannot comment on specific applications or prejudge outcomes. However, he emphasised that the sustainability criterion includes an overall assessment of compliance with relevant EU or national law, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Water Framework Directive. For water bodies at risk of deterioration, authorisation can only be granted under strict conditions, such as overriding public interest and lack of better alternatives.
The answer also highlights that Member States are primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with EU law and for permitting procedures. Under Article 7(8) of the CRMA, a Member State can object to a proposed strategic project, preventing its recognition. This mechanism allows national permitting developments and project evolution to be considered in the assessment.
The response does not provide concrete commitments on specific projects but reiterates the Commission's role as guardian of the Treaties. It signals that strategic project status under the CRMA will not override environmental safeguards, and that national authorities retain significant control over permitting. The institutional follow-up will depend on the outcome of the ongoing selection round and any objections raised by Finland.