A sacks of lithium carbonate is seen at Albemarle Lithium production facility in Silver Peak, Nevada, U.S. October 6, 2022.
The European Commission is weighing a proposal by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that would classify lithium carbonate, chloride and hydroxide as dangerous for human health.
Albemarle has been lobbying against the proposed rules, but believes that they're likely to be approved, Kent Masters, Albemarle's CEO, said in an interview.
Albemarle had warned earlier this year that the regulations might force it to close a processing plant in Germany.
Europe produces very little lithium and must import the metal to processing facilities such as Albemarle's.