Hürth, February 20, 2025 – The European bioeconomy is increasingly focused on the valorization and sustainable use of biological resources. As the transition to a bio-based economy accelerates, biological residues and waste—ranging from food and municipal waste to forestry and agricultural by-products—are seen as key contributors to the EU’s green transition, offering significant environmental and economic benefits.
However, insufficient certification of biological feedstock and value chains presents a challenge to its industrial adoption. To enhance acceptance and traceability, the EU-funded BioReCer project (Biological Resources Certification Schemes) aims to strengthen current certification schemes, ensuring sustainability, origin, and traceability standards are met on both an EU and global scale.
Key Milestones in the BioReCer Project
Since its launch in September 2022, BioReCer has made substantial progress in advancing a competitive, independent, and sustainable EU bioeconomy. As the project enters its final phase, stakeholder insights will be integrated into guidelines for certification schemes, helping to certify the sustainability and traceability of biological resources across industries such as bio-plastics, fertilizers, and nutraceuticals.
Assessing Bio-Based Value Chains: Key Case Studies
BioReCer has conducted an extensive Material Flow Analysis (MFA) across four major sectors: ✅ Fishery ✅ Forestry ✅ Agriculture ✅ Municipalities
These industries generate significant volumes of biogenic waste and by-products, yet much of it remains uncollected and underutilized. The analysis revealed that only a small percentage of organic residues enter the bio-based industry (forestry: 3%, municipal solid waste: 2%, sewage sludge: 0.3%), underscoring the need for improved circularity in bioeconomy value chains.
The BioReCer ICT Tool (BIT): A Digital Innovation for Certification
The BioReCer ICT Tool (BIT) serves as a digital platform designed to enhance environmental performance, traceability, and social acceptance of bio-based products. The tool:
- Collects real-time data on feedstock origins, carbon emissions, and sustainability metrics
- Supports eco-conscious decision-making in the bioeconomy
- Allows companies to evaluate their certification readiness and determine additional sustainability criteria needed for higher certification levels
Currently in its final development phase, the BIT has greatly benefited from stakeholder feedback, including input from feedstock providers, bio-based industry players, and certification bodies.
Standardization & Policy Recommendations
To further support the EU bioeconomy, BioReCer has developed a Standardization Toolkit featuring: ✅ 149 national and international standards (UNI, EN, ISO) ✅ 26 certification schemes, including ISCC ✅ Guidelines for circular economy strategies, environmental management, and product comparison
Additionally, a Policy Brief outlines seven key recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the need for:
- Clear definitions and sustainability ambitions for organic residues in bio-based materials
- Increased use of organic residues where reduction or avoidance is not possible
- Quantifiable sustainability targets for organic residue utilization
- Future bio-based product requirements that incorporate organic residues
- Adapted certification schemes to prevent greenwashing and ensure corporate accountability
- Mass balance and free attribution (MBFA) implementation to support a circular economy
- Consumer awareness initiatives for bio-based products
Engage with BioReCer & Shape the Future of EU Bioeconomy
Stakeholder participation is crucial for the successful completion of BioReCer. To facilitate engagement, the project has established the BioResources Stakeholders Platform (BRSP) within the BioReCer Innovation Ecosystem Living Labs (Brie-LL). This platform allows stakeholders to:
- Provide insights on barriers affecting biological feedstock adoption
- Participate in workshops, webinars, and surveys related to certification schemes
- Influence policy recommendations and industry best practices
Stakeholders can still join the BRSP and contribute their expertise: Register here
For more details, visit: https://biorecer.eu
Watch our project video: YouTube
About BioReCer BioReCer is an EU-funded project dedicated to enhancing certification schemes for biological resources. The project plays a vital role in ensuring transparency, sustainability, and innovation within the European bioeconomy. This publication reflects the views of the authors only and does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency.
