European Copper Institute (ECI) Europe

Based in Brussels, the European Copper Institute (ECI) is the leading advocate for the copper industry in Europe. Through a team of policy, industry and scientific experts, ECI acts to support copper’s role in achieving the EU’s policy goals.

Part of the International Copper Association (ICA), ECI promotes copper’s crucial role in the energy transition, electromobility, and the building or renovation of sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

Through robust methodologies based on business and scientific data, ECI ensures the copper industry's license to operate receives fair treatment under the European Green Deal, especially in the area of chemical management. In addition, ECI serves as the secretariat of the REACH Copper Consortium, which provides a coordinated answer to the EU requirements on chemicals registration, evaluation and authorization.

ECI’s advocacy goals are achieved through close collaboration with member companies and downstream partners, such as fabricators. ECI also participates in several alliances and associations like the Electrification Alliance, Metals for Buildings and Eurométaux to increase its share of voice in the Brussels policy arena.

Latest News, Policy and Positions

The Harmonized Classification of Copper Forms

联名信
26 5月 2023

联名信
26 5月 2023

The Harmonized Classification of Copper Forms

Comments to the Entries of Copper in the CLP Regulation On 1 12月 2022, the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of ECHA adopted an opinion on the proposal for the…

Electrical installations are paramount to achieve decarbonisation goals of EPBD

联名信
24 5月 2023

联名信
24 5月 2023

Electrical installations are paramount to achieve decarbonisation goals of EPBD

Reaction to the amendments adopted by the European Parliament on the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) The decarbonisation of buildings via electrification is contingent on the…

Revision of EU Electricity Market Design

立场文件
22 5月 2023

立场文件
22 5月 2023

Revision of EU Electricity Market Design

European Copper Institute position on the Commission proposal The current situation where EU electricity prices remain higher than in most other regions in the world is having a devastating impact…

For a “Fit for 55” EPBD Recast Trilogue

立场文件
22 5月 2023

立场文件
22 5月 2023

For a “Fit for 55” EPBD Recast Trilogue

Recommendations for the Trilogue on the Recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) We call on co-legislators to particularly support following considerations included into the European Parliament’s position…

The Harmonized Classification of Copper Forms

联名信
26 5月 2023

Electrical installations are paramount to achieve decarbonisation goals of EPBD

联名信
24 5月 2023

Revision of EU Electricity Market Design

立场文件
22 5月 2023

For a “Fit for 55” EPBD Recast Trilogue

立场文件
22 5月 2023

The European Green Deal and Copper

ECI is active in eight of the focus areas of the European Green Deal.

Mobilising research and fostering innovation

The EU as a global leader

A European climate pact

The European Green Deal is the European Union’s flagship program (2019 – 2024) to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050. Ambitious in scope, the program’s action plans and legislative initiatives can only be achieved through close cooperation between decision-makers, society and economic operators.

The copper industry is an ally and a facilitator of the Green Deal, which focuses on three core principles:

GREEN

The European Green Deal aims to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and empower Europe to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. The deal promotes the decarbonization of the energy sector, as well as making energy sustainable and available at affordable prices. For the greening of the construction and transport sectors, investment must accompany ambition. Increasing the use of circular raw materials and products is also a significant strategy for reaching climate neutrality.

Cu Solutions: Copper supports the goals of the European Green Deal through its applications in energy generation, efficient buildings and electrified transport. Copper’s excellent electrical and thermal conductivity make it a crucial material for many technologies enabling the transition to a climate-neutral economy: renewable energy generation, energy storage and efficient energy transfer, electric cars, heat pumps, .... Consequently, copper contributes to 75 percent of the solutions to decarbonize the economy while only generating 0.4 percent of EU total GHG emissions.

DIGITAL

The European Green deal encourages innovative digital technology, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IOT), robotics, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and enhanced metering and communication, that facilitate and improve the management of energy, buildings, production processes and transport.

Cu Solutions: As an essential raw material for electronics, copper actively participates in the digital transition, be it through building automation, grid connection or cooling systems in data centers. The copper industry also supports a system-level approach to energy efficiency enabled by digitalization and the development of digital passports for equipment, systems and buildings.

RESILIENT

The necessity for a strong, self-sufficient and resilient European economy has once more been demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. An economy that can withstand major shocks and rely on strategic autonomy in energy and raw materials must be the driving force of the European Green Deal.

Cu Solutions: A sustainable choice for green applications, copper can be recycled over and over without losing any of its original properties. As a truly circular material facilitating the clean energy transition, copper contributes to Europe’s resiliency by enabling open, strategic autonomy in the energy and raw material sectors. Today, 50 percent of European copper demand is met by recycled material.