In 2025, we worked to highlight that environmental ambition is an effective stepping stone for long-term competitiveness. A green industrial transformation can help in this journey if and only if it also safeguards natural resources, biodiversity, social justice, and environmental health.
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Implementing the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), now depends on technical rules and harmonised European standards. In our latest factsheet we provide an overview of the PPWR's upcoming milestones and targets on packaging minimisation, reuse, and refill - as well as key insights from experts on these three pillars of standardisation under the EU's new packaging rules.
Continue readingIn 2025, we worked to highlight that environmental ambition is an effective stepping stone for long-term competitiveness. A green industrial transformation can help in this journey if and only if it also safeguards natural resources, biodiversity, social justice, and environmental health.
Continue readingThere is a lot of anticipation about what the EU's Digital Product Passport (DPP) can do - but what do the laws currently say? And what remains uncertain? Read on to learn more about the DPP and how it can truly support the bloc's environmental objectives.
Continue readingThe Public Procurement Directives will be revised over the next few years. Often hailed as a potential enabler for the decarbonisation of Europe's heavy industry, public procurement is high up on the EU's agenda. This explainer is here to unpack all you need to know about the Directives.
Continue readingAnnex III of the EU Standardisation Regulation supports representation of societal and small business interests in standards-making. It has opened the door to a wealth of knowledge and experience that gives balance, legitimacy, and real-life insight into standardisation, ensuring that European standards are fit for a future-proof Single Market.
Continue readingWhat can the EU do to make electrification work? From renewables to efficiency – and everything in-between – discover the six energy transition essentials in our factsheet.
Continue readingAgainst a backdrop of political shifts, competing interests, and the stark realities of a changing climate, 2026 will be challenging in many ways – but hopefully still a year full of important milestones and steps forward for ambitious environmental protection.
Learn more about our prioritiesStandards are more than just a market tool, they directly impact people and the environment, which means an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach that involves environmental stakeholders is crucial in shaping European standards that support a circular, sustainable, resilient, and competitive European economy.
Learn more in our factsheetThe European packaging minimisation standard EN 13428:2004 is based on qualitative self-assessment and checklists and is not aligned with the waste prevention ambition of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). We provide recommendations for the European Commission's future standardisation request, foreseen under Article 10(3) PPWR.
Continue readingThe European Commission has presented its draft Delegated Act under the CRCF Regulation, outlining methodologies for certifying carbon removals. In our joint statement, we call for nine key improvements to improve its robustness and environmental integrity.
Continue readingBuy Better to Build Better provided feedback and targeted evidence on the importance of effectively revising the EU Public Procurement Directives.
Continue readingThis Coolproducts position paper from ECOS and EEB welcomes the long-overdue publication of the European Commission’s draft Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations for space and water heaters. It sets out targeted recommendations to strengthen the proposals, raise ambition on efficiency standards, and ensure the regulations effectively support the phase-out of fossil heating while delivering cleaner, smarter appliances for consumers.
Continue readingRethink Plastic alliance responds to the European Commission’s proposal for a Delegated Act to exempt pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation/
Continue readingThis paper provides technical recommendations to inform the European Commission’s forthcoming implementing act under Articles 29 and 30 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The objective is to establish a harmonised and auditable methodology for calculating and verifying the share of reusable packaging placed on the market by economic operators.
Continue readingThe EU Standardisation Regulation legally recognises the importance of input from civil society organisations - but they still face barriers to meaningful participation. Reinforcing the obligation for inclusiveness will ensure that harmonised standards are developed with the effective participation of civil society, so that they can truly meet the needs of policy, markets, and society across the EU and beyond.
Continue readingThe Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has published the second draft of its Corporate Net Zero Standard (CNZS), which is open for public consultation until 12 December 2025.
Continue readingWorld Consumer Rights Day is around the corner. Digital technologies have become essential to everyday life. But the digital environment has also enabled the proliferation of commercial practices that violate fundamental rights.
Continue readingAhead of the 19-20 March European Council, a group of 35 civil society organisations is calling on EU leaders to protect the integrity and predictability of the EU Emissions Trading System.
Continue readingETS2 is a cornerstone of Europe’s strategy to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate investments in clean technologies across small and medium-sized industries, buildings and road transport, and reach the EU’s climate objectives. However, recent discussions on postponing and revising key elements of ETS2 risk substantially weakening the instrument’s effectiveness and undermining the regulatory stability that businesses and households rely on to make long-term investment decisions.
Continue readingNine NGOs, coordinated by ECOS, urge the European Commission to maintain high ambition in the Euro 7 abrasion test methods, due to be decided later this month. Signatories include ECOS, Pew Charitable Trusts, T&E, EEB, Rethink Plastic Alliance, Seas at Risk, Gallifrey Foundation, No Plastic in my Sea, and Ocean. Now!
Continue readingDespite its potential, strategic and sustainable food procurement remains underutilised due to procedural complexities, legal uncertainties, and administrative burdens. In our joint letter to EU leaders, we call for a targeted simplification - while fully maintaining high health, social, labour, animal welfare, and environmental standards - to provide greater clarity, practical guidance, and legal certainty for contracting authorities and economic operators alike.
Continue readingBuy Better to Build Better (BBBB) - a coalition of industry, civil society, and public authorities - say that the quotas in the Industrial Accelerator Act are disconnected from what is feasible and needed to create strong lead markets for concrete and steel in Europe.
Continue readingMarket surveillance includes the monitoring, verification, and enforcement of European and national legislation. It is necessary to ensure that requirements on products result in tangible economic and environmental benefits. Read our evaluation of the possible revision of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products.
Continue readingAlongside other civil society organisations, ECOS is calling for the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Scope 2 guidance to be updated. It must ensure more transparent and accurate emissions reporting, drive new, around-the-clock renewable deployment, and prevent cost-shifting onto all ratepayers for the benefit of a powerful few. Read our joint letter.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.