REE Policy Interventions

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Policy intervention

REE are considered as critical mineral resources, therefore, several government interventions are needed to support both the primary and secondary supply of REE. In terms of secondary sources, financial investment is needed in research and development (R&D) focused on resource efficiency, separation and recycling technologies, as well as infrastructure for the collection and recycling of REE-bearing products. 

Collaboration, both globally and domestically, is key to creating a diverse primary and secondary REE market and resilience of both primary and secondary supply. For example, the Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA) and the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) gather togther REE stakeholders to exchange data, information and knowledge related to REE. Traceability is particularly significant for creating a circular economy system of REE. It is important for governments, academia and industry stakeholders across the REE value chain to collaborate in developing a circular economy system and improve the traceability and transparency of REE. 

Education includes training the next-generation of skilled workers across the REE value chain, with a focus on the circular economy, while educational campaigns for consumers can improve understanding of the social and environmental impacts of the REE. Education has the potential to drive social behaviour change to circular use and recycling of REE-bearing products, especially for consumer electronics and electric mobility. 

Regulatory intervention can be more powerful in supporting the secondary supply of REE. The extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme can enhance not only the producers' responsibility for EoL product management, but also the product design for disassembly, reuse, repair and recycling. Further regulatory issues such as taxes, international trade laws, standardisation, investment and environmental regulations are discussed on the legal and regulatory webpage.

Further reading: 

Patil, A.B.; Paetzel, V.; Struis, R.P.W.J.; Ludwig, C. Separation and Recycling Potential of Rare Earth Elements from Energy Systems: Feed and Economic Viability Review. Separations 2022, 9, 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations9030056 

Alves Dias, P., Bobba, S., Carrara, S., & Plazzotta, B. (2020). The role of rare earth elements in wind energy and electric mobility. European Commission: Luxembourg. 

Jyothi, R. K., Thenepalli, T., Ahn, J. W., Parhi, P. K., Chung, K. W., & Lee, J. Y. (2020). Review of rare earth elements recovery from secondary resources for clean energy technologies: Grand opportunities to create wealth from waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 267, 122048. 

Binnemans, K., McGuiness, P. & Jones, P.T. Rare-earth recycling needs market intervention. Nat Rev Mater 6, 459–461 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00308-w