Gevolgen certificering EU normering biobased producten voor NL beleid (BO-20-012-008)

The application of standards and certification systems in the European bio-based product industry has positive long-term effects on the overall development of bio-based product markets. Trade barriers are reduced and the development of a pan-European market for bio-based products is promoted. Finally, public acceptance of bio-based products is increased through ensuring and verifying the sustainable sourcing of raw materials, the effective bio-content and clear indication of their (comparative) functionality in relation to the regular products.

This project aims at increasing the uptake speed of standards and certification systems for bio-based products. It covers research and demonstration on bio-based carbon content determination, biomass content methods not solely dependent on 14C-analysis and biodegradability and eco-toxicity test schemes. Next, identification and resolution of functionality related bottlenecks with the view to developing, harmonising and validating test methodologies will be undertaken. The possibilities for improving sample preparation, fractionation and thermal treatments will be studied in order to cover bio-base carbon and other bio-based elements determination. Next, practical solutions for stakeholders, lab and field tests on biodegradation or biological derived elements will be investigated. The goal in the end is that the results can be copied one-to-one into European  standards.

Following Mandates by the EC, the European Standardization Committee initiated a Technical Committee, CEN/TC 411 on "Bio-based products". By participating in this committee (its Secretariat being one of the partners), by exchanging with ASTM and ISO, and by doing pre- and co-normative research for them, this project will allow the European stakeholders to progress with well-defined, sound test methods correlated to actual field behaviour and applicability in the lab.

The results so far have been presented and discussed in two stakeholder workshops. In addition, they have been submitted to the discussions in the various working groups of CEN/TC 411where they have contributed to the development of one draft Europena standard, two draft CEN Technical Specifications, and two draft CEN Technical Reports.