European Commission launches European Radioisotope Valley Initiative to secure EU supply
- More than 10 million medical procedures in the EU use radioisotopes each year.
- ERVI defines five strategic priorities and 10 actions to strengthen supply, innovation and resilience.
- Priorities include developing EU-based metallic HALEU capacity, producing stable isotopes currently imported from Russia, upgrading reactors and building new facilities.
- The Commission will mobilise SRIA, IPCEI, EIC and new partnerships and cooperate with the UK, US and IAEA on supply, transport and regulation.
Purpose
The European Radioisotope Valley Initiative (ERVI) is a strategic framework proposed by the European Commission to strengthen Europe’s leadership in medical radioisotope production, reinforce security of supply, guide investment across the value chain and reduce strategic dependencies on third countries, notably Russia. More than 10 million medical procedures in the EU rely on radioisotopes annually.
R&D and innovation
The Commission will support research into next-generation radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals and production technologies and develop a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) to link research with market needs. Instruments cited to mobilise public and private investment include an IPCEI for innovative nuclear technologies, the European Innovation Council and new European partnerships.
Investments in production
ERVI prioritises developing EU-based metallic High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) capacity, producing stable isotopes currently imported from Russia, upgrading existing reactors and constructing new production facilities. Member States are encouraged to use EU startup and scaleup tools, the SGEI state-aid framework and the Critical Medicines Act while the Commission will explore public–private financing mixes.
Market monitoring, partnerships and regulation
The Commission will improve visibility of supply and demand via the European Observatory on the Supply of Medical Radioisotopes and involve Member States and stakeholders. ERVI supports cooperation with trusted international partners — notably the UK and US — and collaboration with the IAEA to ensure reliable transport and to streamline EU and national procedures for radiation protection and waste management.
Context
The initiative follows Council conclusions from June 2024, builds on a March 2026 feasibility study and the 2021 SAMIRA agenda, and was highlighted in the May 2025 REPowerEU roadmap as a key action to increase EU production capacity and reduce dependency on Russia.
Source: European Commission
