Certificate jungle

However, obtaining certification is often complex and requires comprehensive knowledge of the respective requirements. There are also a large number of different certifications that cover different areas of the bioeconomy value chain.  

Keeping your bearings here can be challenging. That's why TransBIB is developing tools to help you find your way through the certification jungle and select the right labels for products.  

In order to best address the needs of bioeconomy stakeholders, two workshops have already been held during the first TransBIB Symposium in Straubing: 

1. How can access to certification of bio-based products be simplified for all stakeholders? 

2 How do I assess the sustainability of my products? A toolbox for stakeholders and companies 

A central finding was that there are more obstacles than good practices and that there is a great need for simplified access to knowledge, such as through click-throughs and checklists. The participants also wanted better coordination of needs and opportunities between certificate buyers and certifiers, as some requirements in certification processes are difficult to implement in practice.  

Building on this, a knowledge platform will be developed within TransBIB, which will prepare and make available various content relating to the topic of certification. Among other things, this will provide a comprehensive overview or database of certification options, which should pave the way to the appropriate certificate. Approaches to stabilising the knowledge platform have already been developed to ensure that it can be made available in the long term. The first results are expected to be published in spring 2025. 

Further workshops will be offered under the title "Stakeholder dialogue", within which the needs for the certification of biomass will be further uncovered.