Europe's 'Made in EU' Rules: A Closer Look
Europe’s Made in EU rules are real, focusing on concrete, aluminium, cars, batteries, and solar panels. They do not extend to software. European hardware founders are discussing a proposed version of the Industrial Accelerator Act (Act) that has garnered attention.
The Industrial Accelerator Act
Arrived on March 4, 2026, as COM(2026)100, the Act establishes a framework for accelerating industrial capacity and decarbonization. It is currently in the ordinary legislative procedure, with Parliament and Council yet to take positions.
Origin Rules
- Concrete and mortar: 5% Union-origin content from 1 January 2029.
- Aluminium: 25% Union-origin content.
- Steel: Escapes origin requirements, instead facing low-carbon criteria.
- Cars: Strict requirements for EU assembly, component content thresholds, and specific battery sourcing rules (six months after the Act’s entry into force).
- Net-zero technologies: Amended thresholds through amendments to the Net-Zero Industry Act, covering solar, batteries, heat pumps, wind, and nuclear.
What It Does Not Cover
The Act does not touch engineering software, cloud hosting, or design tools. Christina Rebel, CEO of CAD ROOMS, advocates for its inclusion in future versions. She argues that the conversation around "Made in EU" should start earlier in the product development process.
The Existing Gap
Even now, most European engineering teams rely on US-hosted platforms for product development, raising concerns about data sovereignty and intellectual property rights, as highlighted in the debate around cloud computing between Airbus and Scaleway against American hyperscalers.