Supporting pre-normative research for standardization of the bio-based products

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• higher and more robust industrial European competitiveness, decarbonisation and strategic autonomy, advancing the lead market for bio-based industry;
• improved environmental sustainability, with positive impact on climate, pollution and biodiversity, via the standardization of the bio-based sector and products.

Scope:

Proposals should address the following activities:

• aiming at overall high sustainability and environmental benefits, and considering the economic feasibility, for high quality of final products, select a bio-based sector/industry^[1] to develop or improve knowledge, technology, product, process, service or solution related to Ecodesign applicable to the chosen sector;
• identify specific gaps in standardization research pipeline, for bio-based products, followed by pre-normative R&D tasks, aiming at high socio-economic and positive environmental impact, allowing the development and deployment of safe and sustainable, circular bio-based value chains/products, with reduced pressure on biological resources and ecosystems, leading to the consistent improvement of their environmental footprint;
• engage with relevant stakeholders from bio-based industry and standardisation bodies, as well as policy makers and authorities at national and European level, creating community of practice, aiming at transparency and inclusiveness, for subsequent market uptake of innovative and competitive solutions with minimised impact on the environment.

The projects under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on safe and sustainable by design framework, the new EU bioeconomy strategy and the upcoming Circular Economy Act, the Clean Industrial Deal and the SME Strategy, as well as the chemicals industry package and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan. It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups Strategy.

Consider synergies with the parallel topic HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02: Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products. The JRC may contribute to the projects selected for funding with work on strategic technologies for economic security and innovative industrial ecosystems, particularly its activities on advanced materials for safe and sustainable innovation.

Cooperation between all projects funded under this topic should also be foreseen, as a specific tasks, with an allocation of resources, for synergies.

This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and involvement of SSH experts in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. International cooperation is encouraged.

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[1] Including intermediate bio-based chemicals, polymers etc. Bioenergy/biofuel applications are out of scope.