The BIOBASEDCERT Research Cluster organized two back-to back events on the 4th of December 2024 in Brussels. The morning event was the third meeting of the Roundtable for Certification Schemes., The event brought together policy makers and certification schemes to discuss the evolving role of certification in the EU Bioeconomy. The afternoon event was a workshop for policymakers. The event delved into the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT) and its potential to support the EU bioeconomy policy framework.

Key Takeaways Morning Session

  • The bioeconomy is a key element in driving the green transition and supporting the de-fossilization of the EU economy. To enable the development of a truly sustainable bioeconomy, A robust and well-defined policy framework is essential to ensure. Such a framework should ensure the sustainable management of carbon sources, balancing the growing address the increasing demand for land and biomass,  resources, and promote responsible resource use to meet environmental and economic goals.
  • Sustainability certification schemes have been established comprehensive frameworks to ensure sustainable production practices across social, economic, and environmental dimensions in various sectors of the bioeconomy. While their rapid development in recent years has largely been driven by regulatory requirements, the growing demand for sustainable biomass and products is also expanding into unregulated markets.
  • The further development of policy requirements for a sustainable bioeconomy presents several challenges. On one hand, it is essential to account for existing requirements and advancements in sectors such as bioenergy while addressing the evolving needs of other sectors. On the other hand, ensuring stakeholder participation and acceptance is critical for the successful implementation of new policy measures.
  • Established sustainability certification schemes can play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of policy frameworks by acting as a bridge between policymakers at both European and national levels and market actors. Additionally, independent institutions, such as NGOs and organizations like ISEAL, can contribute by defining best practices and driving further advancements within the industry innovation..
  • Further dialogue among EU and national policymakers, certification schemes, and NGOs is essential crucial to advance the a sustainable bioeconomy. This requires neutral platforms and well-structured formats to ensure effective communication and collaboration. Platforms like the Roundtable for certification schemes provide a neutral space for effective communication and collaboration. aims to facilitate and support this dialogue, fostering constructive engagement across all stakeholders.

Key Takeaways Afternoon Session

While currently there is no EU regulation specific to biobased products that recognises a role for voluntary sustainability certification schemes, the BMT could support legislation by identifying suitable certification schemes for regulatory alignment. Best practices from legislation in other areas (e.g. Green Claims, renewable energy, timber), should be considered. This tool could help with the implementation of regulation for biobased products by showing which certification schemes could be recognized for this purpose.

Participants also pointed out other potential applications of the BMT:

    • Measuring progress toward objectives;
    • Informing public procurers;
    • Harmonisation of scheme assessment methodologies;
    • Support competitiveness of certification schemes and labels;
    • Reduce the burden of verification by EU Member States in those cases where sustainability requirements exist.
  • Certification schemes vary in scope, the BMT was designed to accommodate those differences.
  • The BMT can help certification schemes strengthen the way they address circularity, a growing priority currently not well-covered by present requirements.
  • Minimum biobased content, this is a separate concept with own instruments on assessment. However, relevant for defining what is considered to be a biobased product to be analysed with the BMT.
  • The EC cannot mandate the use of a certain tool but can offer it as an option/solution.
  • Each certification schemes has its own cycle and proceeds to review, re-evaluate and update in this timeline.
  • Participants acknowledged that the results of the benchmark should be presented in a way that satisfies the needs of the user audience, which will in turn depend on what they are using the tool for. No concerns were raised during the meeting with the proposed visualisations.