Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HARMONITOR (Harmonisation and monitoring platform for certification schemes and labels to advance the sustainability of bio-based systems)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-06-01 do 2023-11-30
The goal of HARMONITOR is to improve the effectiveness and robustness of certification schemes and labels (CSLs) in different sectors of the EU Bioeconomy and strengthen their use as coregulation instruments. Effective and robust CSLs are also essential to cope with some challenges that public regulation faces (e.g. dealing with global supply chains and speeds of change beyond the ability of regulatory timeframes to rapidly respond).
HARMONITOR’S specific objectives are:
SO1 To establish a review platform to capture the dynamic development of CSLs and encourage their harmonisation and continuous improvement through cooperation and promotion of best practices
SO2 To provide data on bio-based value chains and quantification of direct and indirect costs and benefits of certification
SO3 To review and compare performance requirement and assurance and governance systems for comprehensive sustainability coverage of CSLs for biobased systems
SO4 To develop and apply a monitoring system on the effectiveness and robustness of CSLs
SO5 To improve the understanding of the opportunities and limitations of using CSLs as a co-regulation instrument
HARMONITOR’S specific objectives are:
SO1 To establish a review platform to capture the dynamic development of CSLs and encourage their harmonisation and continuous improvement through cooperation and promotion of best practices
SO2 To provide data on bio-based value chains and quantification of direct and indirect costs and benefits of certification
SO3 To review and compare performance requirement and assurance and governance systems for comprehensive sustainability coverage of CSLs for biobased systems
SO4 To develop and apply a monitoring system on the effectiveness and robustness of CSLs
SO5 To improve the understanding of the opportunities and limitations of using CSLs as a co-regulation instrument
WP1 Project cluster BiobasedCert jointly established with sister projects STAR4BBS and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED
WP2 CSLs and value chains to be used in the project selected and characterised. Open public consultation to gather stakeholders‘ feedback on effectiveness and robustness of CSL conducted. Project methodology hub to ensure consistency and compatibility of results across WPs created. Concept desing of the BiobasedCert platform for continuous improvement of CSLs was developed. A Steering Committee for the platform was established and first CSLs were engaged
WP3 Trade flows of selected biobased products assessed, and their level of certification determined. Online interactive mapping tool developed to visualize trade flows https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-results.
WP4 Inventory of key aspects of selected CSLs developed, focus on performance requirements, assurance and governance systems. CSLs thoroughly benchmarked using a Comparative Benchmarking Tool.
WP5 Development of the BiobasedCert Monitoring System (BMS) jointly with cluster's sister projects initiated. BMS includes 3 levels of monitoring: system (governance and operational requirements, led by STAR4BBS), content (environmental, circularity, social and economic requirements, led by SUSTCERT4BIOBASED), outcome (impact of CSLs, led by HARMONITOR)
WP6 Direct costs of certification oF 8 CSLs selected for their coverage of sectors in the EU bioeconomy asessed. Literature review on indirect costs, showing that certification tends to be economically feasible for companies. EE-MRIO to be used to quantify environmental and social externalities of the EU bioeconomy
WP7 First cluster event organised in June 2023 as part of EUBCE2023; 11 presentations in other events; 5 blogs at website
WP2 CSLs and value chains to be used in the project selected and characterised. Open public consultation to gather stakeholders‘ feedback on effectiveness and robustness of CSL conducted. Project methodology hub to ensure consistency and compatibility of results across WPs created. Concept desing of the BiobasedCert platform for continuous improvement of CSLs was developed. A Steering Committee for the platform was established and first CSLs were engaged
WP3 Trade flows of selected biobased products assessed, and their level of certification determined. Online interactive mapping tool developed to visualize trade flows https://www.harmonitor.eu/copy-of-results.
WP4 Inventory of key aspects of selected CSLs developed, focus on performance requirements, assurance and governance systems. CSLs thoroughly benchmarked using a Comparative Benchmarking Tool.
WP5 Development of the BiobasedCert Monitoring System (BMS) jointly with cluster's sister projects initiated. BMS includes 3 levels of monitoring: system (governance and operational requirements, led by STAR4BBS), content (environmental, circularity, social and economic requirements, led by SUSTCERT4BIOBASED), outcome (impact of CSLs, led by HARMONITOR)
WP6 Direct costs of certification oF 8 CSLs selected for their coverage of sectors in the EU bioeconomy asessed. Literature review on indirect costs, showing that certification tends to be economically feasible for companies. EE-MRIO to be used to quantify environmental and social externalities of the EU bioeconomy
WP7 First cluster event organised in June 2023 as part of EUBCE2023; 11 presentations in other events; 5 blogs at website
The most significant exploitable results of the HARMONITOR project are the BiobasedCert platform for CSLs and the BiobasedCert monitoring system (BMS). The collaborative platform offers CSLs and stakeholders a mechanism where they can interact and conduct cross-comparisons for continuous improvement. The BMS can be used by CSLs and policymakers to assess CSLs effectiveness and robustness.
To ensure operability of the platform after the projects‘ end, there’s a need to develop ownership by CSLs during the project’s life, and receive support from EU policy makers (i.e. European Commission). The cluster explored the following routes for exploitation:
- Promote active participation by CSLs to continue developing (after project end) the BMS and the BiobasedCert platform towards a continuous improvement of CSLs.
- Promote a collaborative and professional relationship with participating CSLs, the European Commission, sister projects and the joint advisory board for promoting the continuation and advancement of the BMS and platform.
- Promote frequent networking and debate with international partners and organisations (e.g. industry associations, standardisation bodies, certification bodies, NGOs, etc.)
- Develop the platform further into a multi-stakeholder organisation, including CSLs, supported by the European Commission, and use the BMS as a voluntary tool for self-evaluation.
- Integration of the review platform within standards, CSLs or standardisation organisations or associations, for example ISEAL Alliance.
- Seek to identify possible bodies within (or affiliated with) the European Commission to contribute to the continuation of the platform.
The BMS will conduct its testing phase between March and June 2024. A website for the platform will be developed and launched in 2024.
To ensure operability of the platform after the projects‘ end, there’s a need to develop ownership by CSLs during the project’s life, and receive support from EU policy makers (i.e. European Commission). The cluster explored the following routes for exploitation:
- Promote active participation by CSLs to continue developing (after project end) the BMS and the BiobasedCert platform towards a continuous improvement of CSLs.
- Promote a collaborative and professional relationship with participating CSLs, the European Commission, sister projects and the joint advisory board for promoting the continuation and advancement of the BMS and platform.
- Promote frequent networking and debate with international partners and organisations (e.g. industry associations, standardisation bodies, certification bodies, NGOs, etc.)
- Develop the platform further into a multi-stakeholder organisation, including CSLs, supported by the European Commission, and use the BMS as a voluntary tool for self-evaluation.
- Integration of the review platform within standards, CSLs or standardisation organisations or associations, for example ISEAL Alliance.
- Seek to identify possible bodies within (or affiliated with) the European Commission to contribute to the continuation of the platform.
The BMS will conduct its testing phase between March and June 2024. A website for the platform will be developed and launched in 2024.