The BIOBASEDCERT research cluster has revealed critical gaps in sustainability certification across the EU bioeconomy, calling for immediate policy intervention to address fragmentation and improve transparency in bio-based markets.

The comprehensive research, conducted by three Horizon Europe projects (HARMONITOR, STAR4BBS, and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED), found that current certification schemes and labels (CSLs) for bio-based products vary significantly in scope, ambition, and implementation, creating confusion among stakeholders and undermining market confidence.

Key Findings

Market Monitoring Gaps: The EU lacks systematic tracking of bio-based product trade flows and certification levels. While certification rates are relatively high for palm oil and wood products in Europe, data remains insufficient across most bio-based sectors.

Policy Fragmentation: EU bioeconomy policies remain fragmented across sectors, with notable scarcity of sector-specific sustainability targets outside the energy domain. This fragmentation has limited the effectiveness of circular economy measures, particularly in product design.

Certification Variability: Assessment of dozens of certification schemes revealed significant differences in governance, sustainability requirements, and verification processes, despite generally strong commitments to transparency and credibility.

Breakthrough Innovation: The BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool

The research cluster has developed the innovative BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT) – the first harmonized system to assess the robustness, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness of sustainability certification schemes for bio-based products. The tool evaluates schemes across three levels:

• System Level: Operational and procedural aspects including governance and assurance
• Content Level: Sustainability criteria covering environmental, circularity, social, and economic dimensions
• Outcome Level: Real-world effectiveness and impact measurement

Testing with nine certification schemes and ecolabels demonstrated the tool’s potential to drive continuous improvement and provide clarity for policymakers.

Urgent Policy Recommendations

The research team issued seven key policy recommendations:

1. Address Policy Fragmentation: Establish cohesive, sector-specific sustainability targets across the EU bioeconomy
2. Enhance Trade Monitoring: Develop robust mechanisms for systematic monitoring of bio-based product trade flows and certification levels
3. Strengthen Certification Standards: Improve coherence of policy targets to provide clear direction for certification schemes
4. Quantify Costs and Benefits: Prioritize research to understand the full economic, environmental, and social impacts of certification
5. Foster Collaboration: Promote continuous cross-sector dialogue among certification owners, policymakers, and industry leaders
6. Support Local Value Chains: Expand use of locally sourced feedstocks, particularly in timber and waste management sectors
7. Adopt the BMT: European Commission adoption of the monitoring tool would drive transparency and provide much-needed direction

Industry Impact

“The bio-based economy should not be assumed to be inherently sustainable,” the researchers warn. “Comprehensive evaluations must include environmental, circularity, social, and economic considerations, with robust methodologies to facilitate fair comparisons with fossil-based alternatives.”

The study revealed that consumption-based accounting of the EU bioeconomy indicates higher greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use compared to production-based accounting, highlighting the EU’s reliance on imports and impacts outside its borders.

Collaborative Platform Continues

The BIOBASEDCERT cluster established a successful Collaborative Roundtable Platform bringing together certification schemes, policymakers, and stakeholders. Due to strong member support, discussions are underway to continue this forum beyond the project timeline.

About BIOBASEDCERT

The BIOBASEDCERT cluster comprises three Horizon Europe projects awarded under call ZEROPOLLUTION-01-07, working to assess and improve sustainability certification for bio-based systems in support of EU Green Deal objectives.