On 4 March 2026, the European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act (Iðnaðarhraðall), introducing 'Made in Europe' provisions that create a 'European preference' framework for public procurement and state aid. The proposal mandates minimum low-carbon content thresholds for specified product categories: 25% for steel and aluminium, 5% for cement and morite (mortar). Product categories initially covered are steel, cement, aluminium, vehicles, and clean-tech products, with possible expansion via delegated acts. The proposal is under deliberation by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers.

Six EU/EEA member states — Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — formally expressed opposition to the 'Buy European' / 'European preference' provisions in the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, submitting a joint letter before the Alden Biesen summit on 12 February 2026. These countries argue the provisions risk protectionism and prefer a narrower strategic scope for industrial policy. This Nordic-Baltic coalition represents a significant bloc within the Council resisting the protectionist direction of EU industrial policy.

Under the proposed EU Industrial Accelerator Act (March 2026), products from EEA/EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland may qualify as a 'European preference option' (evrópskur valkostur) in public procurement, on the basis of existing free trade agreements. However, the specific eligibility criteria for EEA/EFTA products will only be clarified in delegated regulations the Commission will draft after the main regulation is adopted. This creates uncertainty about whether EEA membership alone will guarantee equivalent treatment to EU member state products under the new framework.