Enhancing Harmonized Authentication for Biological Products: Perspectives from the BioReCer Initiative
In the rapidly evolving landscape of bio-based products, certification bodies and organizations face a host of challenges in adapting standards to the specificities of these products. One such challenge is the stricter EU regulations that limit permissible substances such as pesticides and fertilizers, often not tailored for many crops grown outside the EU. Additionally, lengthy and complicated approval processes for new substances, risks of losing certification for producers unable to meet new standards, significantly increased operational costs, and ensuring flexibility in applying requirements like animal grazing to accommodate diverse farm situations are all hurdles that certification bodies must overcome.
To address these issues, the Cittadinanzattiva/Active Citizenship Network is carrying out communication activities for the EU-funded project BioReCer. Dr. Simon Schwarzwald, a sustainability expert at REDcert GmbH, discusses the challenges faced by certification bodies in adapting standards to bio-based products.
The BioReCer project has compiled a standardization toolkit with 149 national and international standards and 26 certification schemes, aiming to create transparency for users, consumers, and companies by listing various systems, standards, and labels for comparison. However, the toolkit struggles to compare terms like 'biomass', 'biomaterial', 'bioenergy', and 'biofuel' due to each standard using different language.
Another challenge lies in the real-world complexities and inconsistencies auditors may encounter, such as missing or low-quality data. Balancing strict environmental requirements with feasibility is a key challenge for certification schemes. Clear definitions of certification models at the highest regulatory and scheme level are crucial to avoid confusion.
The BioReCer project emphasizes the importance of clarity, consistency, and harmonization in sustainability certification. Harmonizing the terminology used in the BioReCer toolkit would make comparisons easier and be beneficial for the entire community. However, certification bodies are reluctant to adopt new digital platforms due to the need for official confirmation and the potential undermining of their core responsibilities.
The ICT tool introduced by the BioReCer project is still in an early phase and not yet ready for everyday use. The project website for BioReCer can be found at https://biorecer.eu, and the FAQs & Glossary page can be accessed there. A project video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi5CVZpkV2k.
In the context of the circular bioeconomy, defining clear standards is essential, with key criteria including sustainability as an absolute term and the establishment of core principles and essential criteria. Mass balancing or the chain of custody model is a major topic in bio-based product certification, as it allows for mixing of materials with sustainability properties distributed based on accounting rules. Consistent conclusions are essential for building and enforcing consumer trust in products.
The BioReCer project has received funding from the European Union and underscores the need for a unified approach to bio-based product certification. By addressing the challenges faced by certification bodies and promoting clarity, consistency, and harmonization, the project aims to pave the way for a more sustainable and transparent bio-based product market.
