PVTIME – The European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which was originally due to be released on 10 December, has been delayed until late January 2026. At an industrial ministers meeting on 8 December, EU officials revealed that joint opposition from nine countries, including the Czech Republic and Sweden, had prompted the postponement.
Led by French European Commission Vice President Stéphane Séjourné, the proposal is a key part of France’s domestic production strategy. It sets differentiated localisation thresholds for sectors such as automotive, batteries, and solar PV, with companies needing 70% local content to access public funding, including government incentives and public procurement contracts. Supporting measures include the mandatory preferential purchase of local goods by public bodies, as well as plans for a voluntary green steel certification scheme.
The proposal’s original strict definition of Europe as EU member states raised concerns within the bloc’s trade department regarding potential breaches of international trade agreements. Officials have indicated that the 70% localisation rate may be reduced, and that sector-specific standards, as well as the definition of local content, will be renegotiated. The Act closely aligns with the EU’s Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, which was designed to boost industrial resilience through streamlined approval processes.
Supporters remain optimistic despite the delay. According to a diplomatic source, no country opposes the ‘Europe first’ principle, marking a significant shift from three years ago. Analysts suggest that upcoming negotiations must strike a balance between the protectionist needs of industrial powers such as France and Germany, and the trade openness priorities of Central and Eastern European nations. Avoiding higher business costs and external retaliation will be critical to successfully implementing the policy.
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