CEMR calls for an Industrial Accelerator Act that supports growth, jobs and local prosperity
Europe’s industrial transformation will be delivered locally. Cities, towns and regions are investors, permitting authorities and public contractors, which also directly implement a significant share of European legislation and investment on the ground.
In the policy paper “Localising EU Industrial Ambition”, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) sets out how the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), proposed by the European Commission in July 2026, can support growth, jobs and local prosperity. To succeed, the IAA must recognise local and regional governments not only as implementing authorities, but as strategic partners in shaping and delivering industrial development.
Faster permitting, anchored in territorial realities
CEMR supports streamlining permit-granting as it can help accelerate strategic industrial investments. Achieving this requires better coordination, built on existing governance systems, respecting the division of competences, and preserving legal certainty, environmental safeguards and public participation. Shorter procedural deadlines alone cannot resolve existing challenges such as fragmented procedures, limited administrative capacities or environmental constraints.
Single access points can improve coordination if they build on existing systems and use interoperable digital tools. They must not transfer planning or permitting powers from local and regional governments without their agreement. Timelines should be proportionate and adaptable and should not come at the expense of environmental assessment and public participation. Early coordination between competent local and regional authorities and project applicants, alongside long-term planning for strategic industrial projects, is essential to identify bottlenecks and address them to avoid investment delays.
Industrial acceleration areas: no designation without local involvement
Local and regional governments are best placed to assess the opportunities and constraints of a given area. CEMR consider that they must be involved from the outset, with their agreement required where designation affects their territory and legal competences, such as spatial planning, land use or infrastructure. Enabling infrastructure and services must be backed with adequate financing, rather than shifted onto local and regional budgets.
A targeted and proportionate “Made in Europe” approach
CEMR recognises the strategic objective behind the “Made in Europe” provisions. However, mandatory origin requirements in public procurement could significantly increase costs for authorities and, ultimately, for citizens if applied broadly.
CEMR supports a targeted application in genuinely strategic sectors, based on transparent criteria, regular review and practical exemptions to safeguard affordability and public services continuity. Contracting authorities should not have to verify complex supply chains. Responsibility for demonstrating compliance must stay with economic operators, supported by an EU-wide certification system. CEMR also proposes lowering the cost-difference threshold for considering European supply disproportionately expensive, from 25% to 10%, giving public contractors more flexibility to manage operational costs.
Coherence and resources for implementation
The IAA’s procurement provisions should be explicitly aligned with the future Public Procurement Act, to avoid overlapping rules. New responsibilities must also come with the means to deliver them. The European Commission estimates the IAA could add up to €8.92 million in annual administrative costs EU-wide.
CEMR therefore calls for an assessment of the combined impact of streamlining initiatives on local and regional authorities, and for adequate financial, technical and administrative support, with particular attention to small and medium-sized municipalities.
For more information, contact:
Advisor – Environment and mobility
