ECOS - Environmental Coalition on Standards

Explore our work
on Toxic-free materials by design

In the transition to a circular economy, it is crucial that we not only reduce waste – but also address harmful chemicals in products to minimise negative health impacts and improve reusability. ECOS works to prevent and reduce waste and prioritise efficient product recovery for longer product and material lifecycles. From development and design to end-of-life and recycling, we push to minimise the impact of products. We want products to be as toxic-free as possible to help realise a clean, circular economy and material cycles with minimal impacts on human health and the environment. Keeping material flows non-toxic from the start makes managing products’ end-of-life easier and prevents creating legacy chemicals.

In the transition to a circular economy, waste prevention has priority, but there will still be residual streams from production and consumption processes.

Explore our work
on Electronics

ECOS campaigns for an ambitious implementation of the ecodesign & energy labelling policies, which is vital for the success of the circular and clean energy agendas.

The Ecodesign and Energy Labelling policies constitute effective tools to save energy and resources while reducing CO2 emissions.

Explore our work
on Regional: EU standardisation and policy

Our goal is to ensure an effective participation of the environmental voice in a more transparent and inclusive standardisation system resulting in standards fit to support EU policy objectives and environmental challenges.

Standards are increasingly being used in support of European legislation and policies

Explore our work
on Plastics & Packaging

The entire plastics value chain must undergo a deep transformation, including an absolute reduction of plastic production and demand for plastics.

Plastics are one of the fastest growing pollutants in the world. It is estimated that over 80% of all plastics ever produced have accumulated in landfill or the natural environment.

Explore our work
on Sustainable finance and corporate reporting

Current market dynamics favour short-term profits over the long-term well-being of the planet. Bringing our economies within planetary boundaries requires an urgent shift in how business is done. However, without strong and standardised methodologies to assess the environmental impacts of investments, companies and financial institutions cannot minimise their negative impacts, and stakeholders cannot make informed business decisions. Our aim is to ensure sustainable finance and corporate reporting frameworks are accurate, accessible, and usable for key stakeholders - including investors, competitors, and consumers - to play their vital roles in transitioning towards a truly green economy.

Our latest news

Regional: EU standardisation and policy
Standards need to work for everyone – here’s how we do it

World Standards Day this year focuses on the power of partnership and the impact of working together. The development of standards can enable meaningful collaboration between industries, governments, and civil society, but a lack of representation of diverse and relevant expertise from civil society organisations risks the adoption of standards which may not be fit for purpose.
Sustainable buildings & construction products
Building a European Affordable Housing Plan with what we have

Europe is facing a double challenge: reaching energy, climate, and circularity goals while also ensuring affordable, accessible, and healthy housing. Too often, these two challenges are put against one another. However, for a built environment that works for people and nature, the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) should take advantage of how environmental and social aspects can work together. With fellow experts from Natuur & Milieu and Lund University, we look at how tackling inefficient use of empty or underused buildings can ensure affordable housing and reduce environmental impacts.
Sustainable finance and corporate reporting
Harmonisation of ISO and GHG-P standards must raise the quality bar

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG-P) decision to create common emissions accounting standards has the potential to streamline and simplify procedures. However, this must be done in a way that lifts climate ambition, write Carbon Market Watch’s Benja Faecks and ECOS’s Thea Lyngseth.

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Featured publication

How data centre expansion risks derailing climate goals

Report by ECOS with Open Future. How data centre expansion risks derailing climate goals and how to fix it. An analysis of the environmental impacts of data centres, the solutions to this, and possible EU policy responses.

Download the pdf

Our members

ECOS is an international network of environmental NGOs. Our members support our mission to defend environmental interests in the development of standards and product regulations. The ECOS membership package offers a range of benefits and unique access to information and events. Meet our members, learn about the ECOS membership packages and find out about how to become a member.

Become a Member