On 4 March 2026, the European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act, which would require that when public money is spent on manufacturing or buying electric cars, wind turbines and other key technologies, a minimum share of the value must be made in Europe. The law aims to help local industries compete with foreign producers, particularly China, which dominates global production of many solar panel components, by leveraging the EU’s public procurement market of more than €2 trillion a year.

For strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, steel, aluminium and cement, the proposal introduces minimum levels of low‑carbon and/or EU‑origin content in public procurement and support schemes, with detailed thresholds still being negotiated. Goods from EU countries and certain partner countries, including those covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or EU trade agreements, may qualify as “Europe‑made” for these purposes.