Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STAR4BBS (Sustainability Transition Assessment Rules for Bio-Based Systems)
Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-08-31
Environmental challenges such as climate change and resource depletion highlight the need for sustainable production models. A circular bioeconomy can reduce carbon emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources. Sustainability Certification Schemes and Labels (CSLs) are crucial to achieving this, yet their rapid proliferation has resulted in inconsistent standards, fragmented criteria, and confusion among producers and consumers.
The STAR4BBS project (Sustainability Transition Assessment Rules for Bio-Based Systems), funded under Horizon Europe, aimed to maximise the potential of CSLs to drive a sustainable and circular bio-based economy. Its main goals were to:
• review and analyse CSLs for bio-based materials and products;
• develop a harmonised monitoring system and indicators to evaluate performance of CSLs and alignment with EU sustainability goals;
• analyse trade flows, market impacts, and the costs and benefits of certification across representative bio-based value chains; and
• formulate recommendations and best practices to support policymakers, businesses, and certification bodies.
STAR4BBS supports EU priorities such as the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, and EU Bioeconomy Strategy, by strengthening trust, comparability, and transparency in sustainability certification.
The STAR4BBS project (Sustainability Transition Assessment Rules for Bio-Based Systems), funded under Horizon Europe, aimed to maximise the potential of CSLs to drive a sustainable and circular bio-based economy. Its main goals were to:
• review and analyse CSLs for bio-based materials and products;
• develop a harmonised monitoring system and indicators to evaluate performance of CSLs and alignment with EU sustainability goals;
• analyse trade flows, market impacts, and the costs and benefits of certification across representative bio-based value chains; and
• formulate recommendations and best practices to support policymakers, businesses, and certification bodies.
STAR4BBS supports EU priorities such as the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, and EU Bioeconomy Strategy, by strengthening trust, comparability, and transparency in sustainability certification.
Over three years, the STAR4BBS consortium achieved all eight specific objectives using a structured six-step approach: review, impact analysis, development and demonstration of a monitoring system, cost-benefit and feasibility analysis, and results maximisation.
Key achievements include:
• Comprehensive review: In total 123 international CSLs and 19 monitoring systems analysed, leading to the identification of 350+ indicators and 43 minimum sustainability requirements, including those adapted for smallholders.
• BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT): Developed jointly with the sister projects HARMONITOR and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED under the BIOBASEDCERT Cluster, the BMT assesses CSL robustness, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness.
• Web-based tool: A user-friendly, open-access digital version of the BMT enables self-assessment and benchmarking by CSL owners, policymakers, and businesses: https://star4bbs.eu/web-tool/(opens in new window)
• Testing and validation: The BMT was piloted with nine CSLs (RSB, FSC, Nordic Swan, ISCC, Better Cotton, Better Biomass, SBP, Bonsucro, and EU Ecolabel), confirming its usability across sectors.
• Impact, cost-benefit, and feasibility analyses: Certification was shown to improve environmental and social performance while remaining economically feasible across 14 bio-based value chains.
• Stakeholder engagement: Over 400 stakeholders participated in co-creation workshops, including joint events with sister projects, training events, and policy dialogues.
• Standardisation pathway: A CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) process was initiated with UNI to transform BMT indicators into a European pre-standard.
Key achievements include:
• Comprehensive review: In total 123 international CSLs and 19 monitoring systems analysed, leading to the identification of 350+ indicators and 43 minimum sustainability requirements, including those adapted for smallholders.
• BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring Tool (BMT): Developed jointly with the sister projects HARMONITOR and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED under the BIOBASEDCERT Cluster, the BMT assesses CSL robustness, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness.
• Web-based tool: A user-friendly, open-access digital version of the BMT enables self-assessment and benchmarking by CSL owners, policymakers, and businesses: https://star4bbs.eu/web-tool/(opens in new window)
• Testing and validation: The BMT was piloted with nine CSLs (RSB, FSC, Nordic Swan, ISCC, Better Cotton, Better Biomass, SBP, Bonsucro, and EU Ecolabel), confirming its usability across sectors.
• Impact, cost-benefit, and feasibility analyses: Certification was shown to improve environmental and social performance while remaining economically feasible across 14 bio-based value chains.
• Stakeholder engagement: Over 400 stakeholders participated in co-creation workshops, including joint events with sister projects, training events, and policy dialogues.
• Standardisation pathway: A CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) process was initiated with UNI to transform BMT indicators into a European pre-standard.
STAR4BBS, together with the sister projects, delivered the first robust, evidence-based monitoring system for sustainability certification applicable to bio-based systems. The BMT provides a common reference framework for comparing and improving CSLs, enhancing credibility and alignment with EU policy goals.
Beyond the tool itself, STAR4BBS generated:
• a comprehensive indicator database supporting future research and standardisation,
• quantitative mapping of certified vs. non-certified trade flows,
• evidence-based recommendations and best practices supporting harmonisation and inclusiveness,
• scientific publications, open-access datasets on Zenodo and Evidensia.eco and capacity-building materials.
To ensure lasting use, STAR4BBS partners will maintain and update the BMT web tool and tubCloud repository for at least five years post-project. The modular structure of the BMT enables periodic revisions, integration of new indicators, and alignment with emerging policies such as the CSRD and ESPR.
The BMT offers multiple entry points:
• Policymakers can benchmark CSLs and guide procurement, funding, and regulatory decisions.
• Scheme owners can identify gaps and demonstrate continuous improvement.
• Businesses can evaluate supply-chain certification credibility.
• Researchers and standardisation bodies can use it as a foundation for harmonisation and future updates.
Beyond the tool itself, STAR4BBS generated:
• a comprehensive indicator database supporting future research and standardisation,
• quantitative mapping of certified vs. non-certified trade flows,
• evidence-based recommendations and best practices supporting harmonisation and inclusiveness,
• scientific publications, open-access datasets on Zenodo and Evidensia.eco and capacity-building materials.
To ensure lasting use, STAR4BBS partners will maintain and update the BMT web tool and tubCloud repository for at least five years post-project. The modular structure of the BMT enables periodic revisions, integration of new indicators, and alignment with emerging policies such as the CSRD and ESPR.
The BMT offers multiple entry points:
• Policymakers can benchmark CSLs and guide procurement, funding, and regulatory decisions.
• Scheme owners can identify gaps and demonstrate continuous improvement.
• Businesses can evaluate supply-chain certification credibility.
• Researchers and standardisation bodies can use it as a foundation for harmonisation and future updates.