Category: EN – newsitem

On 6 and 7 October 2020, the European Coatings Technology Forum on Bio-based coatings took place. Initially intended as an onsite conference, all talks were provided remotely via a live stream. Jarno Dakhorst, consultant Energy & Biobased Economy at NEN and also the Scheme Manager for Bio-based content certification, was invited to provide a presentation about how standardisation and certification can accelerate the use of bio-based products in the coatings sector.

“In the transition towards a low-carbon (circular) economy, the industry is shifting from fossil-based to bio-based raw materials for their products. Also the coatings sector is looking into the use of raw materials derived from biomass. Credible claims about characteristics of bio-based coatings are key for the acceptance of these novel products, both in business-to-business and business-to-consumer / business-to-government communication.”, Jarno Dakhorst explained the interest from European Coatings in this topic.

In his talk, Jarno Dakhorst provided insight in the role of standardisation and certification to improve communication about important characteristics of bio-based products throughout the entire supply chain. He used Bio-based content certification as one of two examples of certification schemes managed by NEN in the field of the bioeconomy to illustrate the certification process and its added value. He concluded with a number of takeaways for the coatings sector about the opportunities and challenges in applying standards and certifications in their business strategy and operations to accelerate the use of bio-based products in their coatings.

The talk was well received. Several questions were asked by the audience, which were partly answered during the live stream and partly by correspondence. More information on this Technology Forum is available at the website of European Coatings.

On 2 October 2020, CEN organised the webinar “Boosting the bio-based products market through standardization” to give interested parties insights on the current bio-based market and the standards and certifications available for bio-based products. The bio-based market is constantly evolving and bio-based products are considered to be part of the solution in combatting climate change. Companies and research laboratories develop new materials and continue to experiment with its application. Bio-based products vary in composition and the amount of bio-based content.

The European Commission mandated the development of several standards for the bio-based industry to harmonise methodologies and technologies, in order to boost the bioeconomy. These standards have been developed by the CEN/TC 411 committee on ‘Bio-based products’, a collaboration of various companies and (scientific) institutes in Europe. The webinar addressed standards with regard to determining bio-based content, sustainability criteria and life cycle assessment.

Francois de Bie (Total Corbion PLA), Chairman of CEN/TC 411 ‘Biobased products’ and Chairman of European Bioplastics, highlighted in his introduction the importance of standardisation: “The ongoing ‘environmental deabate’ is driving the need for standards and certification in the field of biobased materials”. André van Zomeren (TNO) presented the standards portfolio and the way the standards relate to each other. In his talk he paid much attention to the Bio-based content certification, emphasing that it is an effective tool that helps the industry in making certified claims about their bio-based products.

The webinar can be watched on the CEN-CENELEC YouTube channel.

The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA) supports the ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 as recently set in motion as the European Green Deal. EUBIA, representing twelve organisations in various sectors active in the bioeconomy, welcomes this comprehensive policy tool that should ensure alignment and coherence between the different initiatives that are part of the Green Deal. EUBA published their position paper on 29 April 2020 in view of the EU Green Deal. They specifically refer to ‘bio-based content’ certificates based on EN 16785-1:2015 for credible and transparent communications:

“Promoting the use of renewable raw materials and the visibility of bio-based products helps raise awareness of existing renewable alternatives to traditional fossil-carbon based products and enhance consumption of sustainable products and sustainable production patterns. Certification and labelling systems based on European standards enable communicating the properties of bio-based products in a clear and unambiguous way. Therefore, building on EU initiatives, the EU should refer to existing standards and labels on the definitions of bio-based products in official communications, such as ‘bio‐based content’ certificates and labels based on the standard EN 16785‐1:2015, and give a clear preference towards products for which renewable raw materials were used in public procurement and/or in tax regulations. Public procurement for bio-based products could be a game changer, notably by including renewability as a criterion for Green Public Procurement (GPP).”

The Bio-based content scheme management welcomes EUBA’s recommendation. EN 16785-1:2015 is developed at the request of the European Commission. Applying this standard and certification in EU policy like the Green Deal would be a logical step to make use of broadly accepted agreements between a wide variety of stakeholders. Using bio-based content certificates is an effective tool to communicate about bio-based products in business-to-business, business-to-consumer and business-to-government communication. Credible and transparent claims about bio-based content are important to successfully deploy the bioeconomy and with that to contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Green Deal. Requiring or awarding bio-based content certification in (public) procurement will be a driver to make this happen.

The full position paper can be downloaded from the EUBA website.

As a result of measures taken by governments and organizations worldwide to curb the spread of the coronavirus, not all conformity assessment activities can proceed as planned for a period of time. The manner in which the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) deals with the current situation is described in document RvA-T051, which is in accordance with IAF ID3:2011.

NEN applies the rules of RvA-T051 (version 3, last update: 2020-03-22) for the schemes under its management. The rules apply to both schemes that are carried out under RvA accreditation and to schemes where this is not (yet) the case. This document contains a summary and explanation of these rules. Where necessary, for specific schemes, the rules are supplemented with additional process agreements. The rules apply as long as the measures related to the coronavirus as taken by governments and organizations are in place with a maximum period of six months. After this period, new rules will be introduced, if necessary.

Definition of extraordinary circumstances

The definition used in document RvA-T051 and IAF ID3:2011 is the following:

Extraordinary event or circumstance

A circumstance beyond the control of the organization, commonly referred to as “Force Majeure” or “act of God”. Examples are war, strike, riot, political instability, geopolitical tension, terrorism, crime, pandemic, flooding, earthquake, malicious computer hacking, other natural or man-made disasters.
(Source: IAF ID 3:2011)

Exemption rules

Initial certification and scope extensions

During the period in which normal working methods, including (practical) exams and on-site auditing, are not possible due to extraordinary events or circumstances, a full initial certification or scope extension is only possible if the conformity assessment activities can be carried out fully and properly.

Recertification and surveillance audits

If a recertification or surveillance audit cannot be carried out or cannot be fully carried out as a result of the measures, the deadline for completing the issuing of the new certificate or the surveillance audit may be postponed within a period up to six months at the maximum. This will give conformity assessment bodies the opportunity to postpone audits, (practical) exams and, if relevant, site visits. The following requirements apply for granting an extension:

• Postponement is only permitted temporarily, as long as the regulation in this document is effective and if there is really no other option.
• NEN shall be informed about the granted extension for each certificate holder concerned to maintain the certificate register.
• The deferral period is kept to a minimum and recertification or surveillance audits should be scheduled as soon as possible once relaxation of the measures allows this.
• In the case of recertification, the initial date of validity of the certificate shall be taken to extend the validity of the new certificate with a new term. The validity of this new certificate will therefore be shorter.
• In the case of a surveillance audit, the terms for the next surveillance audit will be unchanged, i.e. they remain linked to the date of issue of the certificate, which can result in a faster sequence of surveillance audits.
• If the 6-month deferral period is exceeded, the certificate will expire.

Alternative audit methods

Remote assessment

NEN can give permission to allow remote assessment for certification schemes where remote assessment (or remote auditing) is not standard practice. In that case, remote assessment is only permitted temporarily, as long as this regulation is effective and if there is really no other option.

The requirements of IAF MD 4:2018 apply to conducting remote assessments, with the following (additional) requirements:

• The organization subject to the remote assessment shall agree in advance including about how the assessment will be carried out.
• NEN shall be informed about the intention of a conformity assessment body to carry out remote assessments for a specific scheme.
• The remote assessments should be carried in accordance with the original audit programme wherever possible.
• Observations of locations and / or (behaviour of) operational employees / activities cannot be carried out remotely.
• Interviews of functions where (behavioural) observation are not relevant, for example “office functions” such as management, HR, calculation, can be carried out remotely.
• The interview shall take place through a secure connection, such as MS Teams or Skype, where there is both an audio and a video connection, so that the auditor(s) and the auditee can clearly hear and see each other regarding verbal and non-verbal communication.
• The conformity assessment body shall keep a complete record of actions and deviations from the established certification programme, together with the justification of the decisions about the actions taken. In the case a scheme is not under supervision of the RvA, this information shall be made available to NEN for inspection upon request.

More information

For more information about these exceptions, send an e-mail to schemabeheer@nen.nl. For other information about scheme management, visit nen.nl/certificatie (in Dutch).

The Bio-based content scheme management committee has established the first interpretation document related to the Bio-based content certification system. The interpretation document responds to queries from the market for applying the certification scheme to make credible claims about the minimum share of bio-based content of their products or packaging. The interpretation document can be downloaded as part of the overall scheme documentation.

A major topic in the interpretation document relates to natural products. Clarification has been provided about what raw material may be considered a natural product and in which way natural products shall be assessed to validate conformity with the requirements for determining the bio-based content. In this respect, also the certification of so-called Group II products have been clarified when natural product(s) are used as constituents.

Other interpretations addressed in the first interpretation document concern clarification about sub-licencing, statements and reporting about bio-based carbon content versus bio-based content, and the use of the logo and label including colour. Reference is made to other European standards that support the bio-based economy in communicating about bio-based content.

The interpretations will be integrated in the next edition of the Bio-based content certification scheme. It is expected that this scheme will be revised next year, when also a test method for oxygen will be available, based on the European standard EN 17351, Bio-based products – Determination of the oxygen content using an elemental analyser, that will be published by the end of 2019.

NEN is Bronze Sponsor of the 14th annual World Bio Markets – the leading assembly for the bio-based economy. This assembly will take place at the Passenger Terminal in Amsterdam (NL) from 1 to 3 April 2019. NEN will have a stand and will moderate a round table in the session ‘Building a bio-based industry’.

NEN is not only scheme manager of Bio-based content certification, but also of Better Biomass certification to demonstrate sustainably produced biomass for energy applications and bio-based products. Moreover, NEN has leading positions in European standardisation in the field of bio-based products (CEN/TC 411), algae and algae products (CEN/TC 454) and sustainability criteria for biomass (CEN/TC 383) as well as in international standardisation in the field of chain of custody (ISO/PC 308). Furthermore, NEN is involved in several (European) pre- and co-normative research projects aiming at fostering innovation and market introductions to accelerate the (circular) bio-economy.

Attendees of World Bio Markets 2019 have the opportunity to meet NEN colleagues to learn more about how standardisation and certification can boost their business. Also during the round table session entitled “Shaping the bio-based economy: fostering innovation and market introductions with standardisation and certification tools” we will interact with the participants on these building blocks. We look forward to meeting you and to building strategic partnerships.

More about the round table session

Established companies are shifting from fossil-based to bio-based materials in their production processes, whilst start-ups and spin-offs introduce innovative products, services and technologies supporting the bio-based economy. Several public and/or private research, development and demonstration projects provide useful results needed for scaling up new technologies and production processes to increase the share of bio-based materials in the overall use of raw materials. Standardisation is an efficient and proven concept to support sectors with their innovations and accelerating market introductions. Standardisation provides a common language, enhance cost effectiveness through standardised procedures and ensuring interoperability, and addresses health, safety and environmental aspects as part of the (social) licence to operate. Certifications deliver independent assessments of conformity with specific standards, which enable credible and transparent communication about certain aspects of bio-based products, both business-to-business and business-to-consumer. NEN is involved in pre-/co-normative research projects, and in developing and managing standards and certification schemes. With these activities, NEN has access to a large and diverse network of experts around the globe. During this roundtable session we will discuss in which way standardisation and certification can support your bio-based activities. We invite attendees of World Bio Markets 2019 to identify barriers they encounter in their activities to move forward in the transition towards the (circular) bio-based economy. Together with peers we will try to tackle these barriers, for example by determining needs for standardisation or certification. Success stories are also welcome for inspiration and lessons learned. Your take away of this roundtable session will be a better equipped tools box to make your business (even) more successful.

The European Bioplastics Conference is the leading business and discussion forum for the bioplastics sector in Europe and worldwide. The 13th edition of this conference will take place in Berlin on 4 and 5 December 2018. Jarno Dakhorst, Biobased content scheme manager of NEN, will provide a lecture entitled “How bio-based content certification can support the plastics strategy” in the session about standardisation for bioplastics.

In January 2018, the European Commission adopted a strategy on plastics which will protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation. This strategy also aims at contributing to the transition towards a low-carbon, circular (bio)economy. Also in other parts of the world, plastic waste prevention and the deployment of the circular (bio)economy are high on the agenda. The production and use of bioplastics fits perfectly in these developments, while accelerating the shift from fossil-based feedstock to bio-based feedstock. Important aspects of bioplastics include sustainability of bio-based feedstock, lifecycle assessment, durability and degradability, end-of-life options, and the bio-based content of products.

The lecture of Jarno Dakhorst will focus on the latter. At the 11th European Bioplastics Conference the Bio-based content certification scheme was launched. The lecture will provide an overview of experiences from the early-adopters of bio-based content certification. In addition, the latest amendments to the scheme will be presented, responding to market needs. The lecture will conclude with recommendations on how transparent and credible bio-based content claims can support the implementation of the (bio)plastics strategy.

More information about the 13th European Bioplastics Conference including the full programme and possibility for registration is available at the website of European Bioplastics.

Recent years have seen the emergence of exciting new bio-based products into the market. Supported by a wave of innovation and the development of knowledge and technologies that have allowed new transformation processes and product development, the bio-based industry has become increasingly established. However, there are still significant challenges, e.g. clear and transparent communication about the characteristics of bio-based products is essential to avoid confusion in the market place. There is still uncertainty among the public, and even at times within the industry itself. And in the global business, this confusion crosses international borders too.

In order to address this bio-based communication challenge, two true experts in this field and members of the Bio-based content scheme management committee, Harmen Willemse (NEN) and Maarten van der Zee (Wageningen Food & Biobased Research), have written an exclusive White Paper looking at the differences in communicating the bio-based content of products in the EU and the US. It’s essential reading for anyone serious about a global bio-economy and want to learn more about the approaches of bio-based (carbon) content determination based on the European standard EN 16785-1 and the American standard ASTM D6866.

Download your free copy of the White Paper through the website of Biobased World News.

 

PRESS RELEASE – Today, Corbion and Kraton received the first European certification for their bio-based products – a key differentiator in the bio-based product market. The certification system is based on the European standard EN 16785-1 which enables independent assessment of claims on the bio-based content of products. With certification, suppliers can use bio-based content labelling for their marketing efforts.

Corbion, the global market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives and lactides, offers high performance PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) resins for general purpose and high performance bioplastics. PLA is a biobased plastic with a low carbon footprint and is used in packaging, disposables, fibres, electronics and automotive markets.

Kraton, the world’s leading biorefiner of pine chemicals, provides natural pine-based materials in diverse markets including adhesives, roads and construction, tires and rubber, lubricants, fuel additives, and mining, by refining and upgrading crude tall oil (CTO) and crude sulphate turpentine (CST).

The European system for bio-based content certification was launched at the 11th Annual European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin, given that bioplastics are a certification area. Both Corbion and Kraton took part in the pilot projects to validate the certification system. DIN CERTCO and Vinçotte were the two certification bodies involved in the pilot projects. Their positive assessments demonstrated that the system is ready to be launched for uptake by other interested parties who wish for their products to become certified.

Floris Buijzen, Product Market Manager Bioplastics at Corbion comments on Corbion’s participation in the pilot project: “By participating in the pilot project, our Luminy portfolio of neat PLA bioplastic resins have been one of the first products to be certified 100 % bio-based. The newly launched certification system grants the industry a means to demonstrate compliance to an independent European standard, providing transparent, reliable and responsible product communications on bio-based content throughout the value chain.” Kraton also embraced bio-based content certification. “The certification underscores Kraton’s commitment to expanding our portfolio of sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Holger Jung, Kraton Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Bio-based products are gaining interest in the global market. Buyers can apply the European standard EN 16785-1, as well as other standards in the field of bio-based products, to specify the required characteristics when purchasing their bio-based products. Suppliers can use certificates and labels to demonstrate that they comply with these requirements.

Buyers can also require that the claim of bio-based content is assessed by a certification body. Harmen Willemse, chairman of Committee of Experts that has developed the certification system, emphasizes that “credible claims about the bio-based content of products are key for the acceptance of bio-based products and the transition towards the circular bio-economy.”

The Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) manages the European system for bio-based content certification. NEN also pioneered the process to develop the certification criteria. Visit biobasedcontent.eu for more information.

NEN is joining the Bio-Based Live Europe Congress as an exhibitor. The congress is held at University of Amsterdam, Science Park on the 31st May and 1st June 2017.

At 4.15pm on Day One, NEN will host the Standards and certifications Roundtable and at 12noon on Day Two, they will host the session ‘Certification: Using Standards and Labelling to Communicate important characteristics of bio-based product’ allowing for learning and discussion between our senior attendees and a fantastic insight into what is happening in the industry right now.

We are offering you 15% off of your full access pass. Contact us for your discount code.

OR, if you’re employed by a Brand or Retailer then you can attend for free by clicking here.