Standards strengthen control over critical raw materials
Standards can play an important role in strengthening the security of supply of critical raw materials. This is evident from the report 'Standardisation and Critical Raw Materials in the Dutch Context', drawn up by NEN and TNO on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. The report demonstrates how existing and new standards can contribute to more transparent, sustainable and circular value chains.
Critical raw materials are indispensable for, amongst other things, batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, electrolysers, high-tech applications and defence equipment. As extraction and processing often take place in a limited number of countries, international supply chains are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts and export restrictions. This is increasing the need for clear agreements on quality, origin, traceability and reuse.
Standardisation provides a practical tool for this. Standards clarify how materials, products and processes are measured, assessed and compared. In this way, they contribute to more transparent supply chains and facilitate international collaboration.
Understanding standards across the entire value chain
Standardisation touches on the broader question of how the Netherlands can gain greater control over raw material supply chains. The report provides insight into the role that standards can play in security of supply, transparency and circularity. The report identifies which standards already exist or are under development for critical raw materials and relevant product groups. These include rare earth elements, lithium, steel and magnesium, as well as applications such as batteries, electrolysers, solar panels, offshore wind and climate control systems.
For the Netherlands, the relevance lies primarily in the later stages of the supply chain. The Netherlands has little mining or refining activity, but excels in trade, logistics, high-value-added industry, recycling and circular applications. It is precisely in these areas that standards can help to establish agreements on traceability, product information, safety, performance and reuse. At the product level, standards also support circular strategies, for example by providing greater clarity on extending product life, repair, reuse, and the origin and composition of materials.
Active Dutch involvement in relevant standardisation processes can help to better link knowledge, policy and practice. In this way, standards become not only technical agreements, but also a tool for strengthening the Netherlands’ position in international raw materials supply chains.
View the Dutch report ‘Normalisation and critical raw materials’ here.