– This regulation aims to increase competitiveness and accelerate decarbonization in European industry, with focus on net-zero technologies and energy-intensive industry, says the Minister of Trade and Industry Myrseth.

The proposal is introduced against the backdrop of growing global competition and  increasing dependencies on non-EU suppliers. This calls for measures to increase resilience and security of supply in strategic value chains.

The proposal has received attention, especially due to the new mandatory European preference criteria for public procurement of net-zero technology and selected low-carbon emission products ("Made in Europe").

– It is important that goods and companies from Norway and other EEA/EFTA countries are considered "European" on an equal footing with EU countries, in order to ensure our full access to the internal market also in the future. Norwegian industry is closely integrated into European value chains and a stable and important supplier to the EU, says the Minister of Trade and Industry.

The regulation is marked "EEA relevant" by the European Commission. The proposal has been subject to a Norwegian public consultation, and the input received has contributed to the Government's comment to the proposal. Norway's final assessments of the regulation, including the question of possible incorporation into the EEA Agreement, will be available once the regulation has been adopted by the EU. The proposal is currently being assessed by the Council and the European Parliament, with the ambition to conclude before the end of the year.

More facts on the proposal for an Industrial Accelerator Act - Commission proposes Industrial Accelerator Act to strengthen industry and create jobs in Europe