Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HARMONITOR (Harmonisation and monitoring platform for certification schemes and labels to advance the sustainability of bio-based systems)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31
HARMONITOR aims to enhance the effectiveness and robustness of certification schemes and labels (CSLs) within the EU bioeconomy. The project addresses sustainability challenges and improves the credibility and performance of CSLs, which are essential for promoting sustainable practices across various sectors. HARMONITOR’S specific objectives are:
1. Establish an open Roundtable as a review platform to promote CSL harmonisation and improvement.
2. Provide transparent data on bio-based value chains and quantify certification costs and benefits.
3. Assess performance, assurance, and governance systems of CSLs for sustainability.
4. Develop and apply a monitoring system to evaluate CSLs effectiveness.
5. Examine opportunities and limits of using CSLs as co-regulation instruments within the EU bioeconomy policy framework.
The project delivers significant impacts: scientifically, by assessing CSLs' performance, usage level and associated externalities; economically, by improving CSLs’ credibility and adoption; and societally, by advancing sustainability in bio-based systems. The project integrates social sciences and humanities through stakeholder engagement, including policymakers, industry, researchers, and practitioners. The project worked in collaboration with the STAR4BBS and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED projects, forming the BiobasedCert cluster.
1. Establish an open Roundtable as a review platform to promote CSL harmonisation and improvement.
2. Provide transparent data on bio-based value chains and quantify certification costs and benefits.
3. Assess performance, assurance, and governance systems of CSLs for sustainability.
4. Develop and apply a monitoring system to evaluate CSLs effectiveness.
5. Examine opportunities and limits of using CSLs as co-regulation instruments within the EU bioeconomy policy framework.
The project delivers significant impacts: scientifically, by assessing CSLs' performance, usage level and associated externalities; economically, by improving CSLs’ credibility and adoption; and societally, by advancing sustainability in bio-based systems. The project integrates social sciences and humanities through stakeholder engagement, including policymakers, industry, researchers, and practitioners. The project worked in collaboration with the STAR4BBS and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED projects, forming the BiobasedCert cluster.
• WP1 (Coordination) developed the Final Policy Brief, offering targeted policy recommendations to EU policymakers and stakeholders. These recommendations addressed existing gaps in EU policies and provided actionable strategies to enhance the integration of CSLs into EU co-regulation frameworks
• WP2 (Collaborative Platform) successfully implemented the concept of a collaborative platform to foster continuous improvement of CSLs
• WP3 (Global and EU Trade Flows) provided detailed data on trade flows and certification levels, making this information accessible through an interactive online tool: https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-results(opens in new window). It assessed the sustainability certification levels of selected biological resources and bio-based materials, synthesizing and visualizing trade flow data for broader understanding
• WP4 (Review of Selected Schemes) conducted a comparative assessment of selected CSLs, focusing on their sustainability, assurance, and governance systems. This analysis was validated with input from scheme owners and examined the alignment of CSLs with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
• WP5 (Monitoring Tool) developed the Outcome Level of the BiobasedCert Monitoring Tool (BMT) to assess the effectiveness and impact of CSLs. This tool offers a comprehensive framework for monitoring CSLs and enhances their robustness and overall efficacy. The BMT (D5.3) is available at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101060133/results and at https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-publications(opens in new window)
• WP6 (Costs and Benefits of CSLs) quantified both direct and indirect costs and benefits of certification, offering in-depth insights into its economic aspects. It employed a multi-regional input-output analysis to assess environmental externalities (i.e. GHG emissions, land use and water use) and evaluated the overall economic feasibility of certification
• WP2 (Collaborative Platform) successfully implemented the concept of a collaborative platform to foster continuous improvement of CSLs
• WP3 (Global and EU Trade Flows) provided detailed data on trade flows and certification levels, making this information accessible through an interactive online tool: https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-results(opens in new window). It assessed the sustainability certification levels of selected biological resources and bio-based materials, synthesizing and visualizing trade flow data for broader understanding
• WP4 (Review of Selected Schemes) conducted a comparative assessment of selected CSLs, focusing on their sustainability, assurance, and governance systems. This analysis was validated with input from scheme owners and examined the alignment of CSLs with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
• WP5 (Monitoring Tool) developed the Outcome Level of the BiobasedCert Monitoring Tool (BMT) to assess the effectiveness and impact of CSLs. This tool offers a comprehensive framework for monitoring CSLs and enhances their robustness and overall efficacy. The BMT (D5.3) is available at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101060133/results and at https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-publications(opens in new window)
• WP6 (Costs and Benefits of CSLs) quantified both direct and indirect costs and benefits of certification, offering in-depth insights into its economic aspects. It employed a multi-regional input-output analysis to assess environmental externalities (i.e. GHG emissions, land use and water use) and evaluated the overall economic feasibility of certification
The project has achieved significant milestones in enhancing the effectiveness and robustness of CSLs within the EU bioeconomy, including:
1. Development of the BMT, which assesses the effectiveness and robustness of CSLs. The tool was applied to multiple CSLs, providing a comprehensive framework for monitoring their performance.
2. Comprehensive trade flow analysis, making the information accessible through an online tool. This enhanced transparency and understanding of bio-based value chains.
3. Comparative analysis of CSLs, highlighting strengths and gaps on sustainability, assurance, and governance aspects, informing the development of the BMT, and supporting regulatory alignment.
4. Quantification of costs and benefits, providing detailed insights into the economic aspects of certification. This included case studies on palm oil, wood, and cotton production.
5. Analysis of environmental externalities of the EU bioeconomy, including the impacts of the EU bioeconomy that occur outside its borders.
6. Policy recommendations, addressing gaps in EU policy and offering actionable insights to progress towards the use of CSLs in EU co-regulation.
To ensure the further uptake and success of the HARMONITOR project's outcomes and drive the adoption and improvement of CSLs, several key needs have been identified. Continued research is essential to expand benchmarking analyses and to develop advanced tools for assessing indirect costs and externalities in bio-based industries. Facilitating access to markets and finance for certified products is crucial, including creating financial incentives for companies and ensuring their competitive advantage. Establishing a supportive regulatory and standardization framework is vital to align CSLs with EU policies, ensure recognition and trust among policymakers. Continuous stakeholder engagement, involving policymakers, industry representatives, certification bodies, and researchers, will ensure the relevance of tools and methodologies developed.
1. Development of the BMT, which assesses the effectiveness and robustness of CSLs. The tool was applied to multiple CSLs, providing a comprehensive framework for monitoring their performance.
2. Comprehensive trade flow analysis, making the information accessible through an online tool. This enhanced transparency and understanding of bio-based value chains.
3. Comparative analysis of CSLs, highlighting strengths and gaps on sustainability, assurance, and governance aspects, informing the development of the BMT, and supporting regulatory alignment.
4. Quantification of costs and benefits, providing detailed insights into the economic aspects of certification. This included case studies on palm oil, wood, and cotton production.
5. Analysis of environmental externalities of the EU bioeconomy, including the impacts of the EU bioeconomy that occur outside its borders.
6. Policy recommendations, addressing gaps in EU policy and offering actionable insights to progress towards the use of CSLs in EU co-regulation.
To ensure the further uptake and success of the HARMONITOR project's outcomes and drive the adoption and improvement of CSLs, several key needs have been identified. Continued research is essential to expand benchmarking analyses and to develop advanced tools for assessing indirect costs and externalities in bio-based industries. Facilitating access to markets and finance for certified products is crucial, including creating financial incentives for companies and ensuring their competitive advantage. Establishing a supportive regulatory and standardization framework is vital to align CSLs with EU policies, ensure recognition and trust among policymakers. Continuous stakeholder engagement, involving policymakers, industry representatives, certification bodies, and researchers, will ensure the relevance of tools and methodologies developed.