"Complaint to the European Ombudswoman: lack of transparency in CRMA strategic projects", 8 July 2025

In July 2025, ClientEarth submitted a formal complaint to the European Ombudswoman. The complaint highlights the European Commission’s failure to provide access to key environmental and social sustainability documents related to mining projects located in the EU seeking strategic status under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Despite the significant impact these projects could have on local communities and ecosystems, the Commission denied access to documents that would allow public oversight, invoking commercial confidentiality and internal deliberation exceptions.The complaint argues that the Commission:

• Did not provide legally required response to a confirmatory application,
• Misapplied exceptions under Regulation 1049/2001,
• Failed to recognise the overriding public interest in environmental transparency.

ClientEarth asserts that environmental assessments and evidence of community engagement must be disclosed under EU law, including the Aarhus Regulation, especially when decisions are made without local input.