Stakeholder dialogue on the harmonisation of product certifications entered its second round

The second event in the workshop series "Stakeholder dialogue on the certification of bio-based products" took place on 24.10.2024 at the German Biomass Research Centre in Leipzig and was dedicated to the focus topic of raw materials. Moderated by Lukas Metzger-Lindner, the aim was to develop a possible basic architecture for meta-certification using the LEGO® Serious Play® method.

The workshop began with a keynote speech by Stefan Majer, head of the "Applied Sustainability Assessment" working group at the DBFZ. The topic was the current and future regulatory framework in the EU for the certification of bio-based material flows. The participants were particularly interested in the practical implementation of RED III certification. Mr Metzger-Lindner then presented the LEGO® Serious Play® method. As a visualisation tool, it supports the joint visioning of complex thought models, whereby the perspective of all participants is directly involved in finding solutions. To this end, the results of the first workshop in Straubing were first used to create a common knowledge base for all participants. Three warm-up exercises were used to familiarise the guests with the material. Based on this, current challenges of certification processes were visualised. These include the high cost of data procurement, low added value for pricing compared to end products and a lack of consumer knowledge about the labels. Proposed solutions to this problem area include the standardisation of labels, the promotion of transparency along the value chain and the inclusion of sustainability information in the digital product passport.

The second half of the day began with a short round of feedback on the information platform's intended offerings. Click paths to the appropriate certificate, handouts and checklists were among the most popular features. Then it was back to LEGO® to design individual models for aspects of meta-certification, which were then put together to form a group model. Due to the complexity of the topic, there was plenty of need for discussion here, but a consensus was nevertheless reached on the joint model at the end.

The most important aspects were the transparency of the meta-certification to the outside world, with the aim of creating credibility and trust. It was no less important to consider all aspects of different biomass as well as the different sustainability criteria of the individual certificates when designing the concept. This should ensure that meta-certification is applicable to all bio-based products as far as possible. There was much need for discussion about the organisation of the information flow of the relevant data along the value chain. Specifically, the question arose as to which stakeholders need access to which data and where confidentiality is necessary. Another point of discussion was the topic of financing and continuity. Here it was clear that the relevant bioeconomy certification systems must be involved in order to answer these questions.

The next workshop in the series will take place in Q1 2025 in Berlin. The aim of the participatory dialogue is to identify existing challenges faced by all stakeholders and to find solutions for the interaction of existing certification systems with a view to possible meta-certification.