Ley del Acelerador Industrial
The Industrial Accelerator Act is a legislative proposal presented by the European Commission on 4 March 2026 with the objective of strengthening the European Union’s industrial base, accelerating the decarbonisation of strategic sectors, and enhancing competitiveness in a context of growing global competition and dependence on third countries. The initiative forms part of the EU’s new industrial policy and the broader package of measures linked to the Clean Industrial Deal and the strengthening of the EU’s economic security.
The proposal responds to the conclusions of the Draghi Report on European competitiveness and to the need to reverse the decline of the manufacturing sector’s share in the EU economy, which accounted for approximately 14.3% of GDP in 2024. In this context, the Commission has set a target of increasing this share to 20% by 2035 by strengthening domestic production capacities and reducing strategic dependencies in key sectors such as steel, cement, aluminium, automotive manufacturing, and net-zero technologies.
The Industrial Accelerator Act establishes a comprehensive framework of measures that combines regulatory, industrial, and market-based instruments. Among its key provisions is the introduction of “Made in EU” requirements and low-emission criteria in public procurement and public support schemes, with the aim of creating demand for industrial products manufactured in Europe and fostering the development of strategic value chains within the Single Market.
Another central pillar of the proposal is the acceleration of industrial projects through the simplification of administrative procedures. To this end, the Regulation provides for the creation of digital one-stop shops and streamlined permitting procedures for manufacturing projects, particularly in energy-intensive industries and clean technology sectors, reducing the delays and administrative burdens that currently constrain industrial investment across the EU.
The initiative also introduces new conditions for certain foreign direct investments in strategic sectors, with the objective of ensuring that such investments contribute to European industrial development in terms of employment, innovation, and value creation. At the same time, the framework preserves the openness of the European market by promoting reciprocity in access to public procurement contracts and strengthening the resilience of supply chains against geoeconomic risks.
Overall, the Industrial Accelerator Act is conceived as a key component of the EU’s industrial strategy to combine climate transition, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. Through measures targeting both supply and demand, the Commission seeks to facilitate industrial investment, stimulate innovation, and consolidate a strong manufacturing base capable of competing globally, with particular impact on strategic industries and the development of clean technologies.
TIMELINE
April–July 2025. The European Commission conducts a public consultation on the future Industrial Accelerator Act, seeking input from businesses and other stakeholders to define the scope of the initiative.
Fourth quarter of 2025. The initiative is announced in the Commission’s work programme and as part of the development of the Clean Industrial Deal, with the aim of presenting a legislative proposal on industrial acceleration.
March 2026. The European Commission formally adopts the proposal for a Regulation on the Industrial Accelerator Act (COM(2026)100), establishing a framework of measures to accelerate industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors. The European Parliament and the Council begin their examination of the proposal under the ordinary legislative procedure, including its referral to the relevant parliamentary committees.
Next steps – 2026–2027. Interinstitutional negotiations between the Parliament and the Council, with a view to the adoption of the Regulation and its subsequent implementation in the Member States.