ECOS | Environmental Coalition on Standards

17 June 2021

ECOS marks 20 years making standards work for the planet

ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since 2001, the organisation has been working to ensure an effective participation of environmental NGOs in standardisation and a more inclusive standardisation system, as well as campaigning for better environmental policies.

In its 20-year history, ECOS has evolved from a small, technically-minded NGO to an international environmental organisation active in a great number of areas. Over the years, ECOS has celebrated many successes, such as contributing to the extension of EU ecodesign rules to more sectors, or to ending default use of toxic flame retardants in screens and other electronic devices [1].

ECOS’ job is, however, still far from done: the NGO strongly believes that the way standards are developed can be significantly improved. An area that requires particular attention is the degree to which standardisation processes ensure inclusiveness of different types of stakeholders, including those representing the environmental voice [2].

ECOS celebrates its anniversary with a high-level conference focusing on making sustainable products the norm in Europe and across the world. The event will take place this afternoon at 2.30pm CEST. A small number of places are still available. Please register following this link.

Justin Wilkes, ECOS executive director, said:

‘The ambitious environmental commitments made by policymakers worldwide need to go hand in hand with standards that make sustainability an everyday reality. International standardisation organisations must dedicate stronger efforts to contributing to Sustainable Development Goals, and make sure standards truly respond to the pressing environmental challenges we are facing.’


Notes to editors: 

[1] ECOS 20 YEARS INTERACTIVE TIMELINE –  https://ecostandard.org/our-journey
[2] ECOS paper: International standardisation that works for the environment – Making change happen – https://ecostandard.org/publications/international-standardisation-that-works-for-the-environment-making-change-happen
[3] https://ecostandard.org/news_events/20-years-of-ecos-join-our-online-conference-on-making-sustainable-products-the-norm/


Contacts: 

Ivo Cabral, press manager at ECOS – ivo.cabral@ecostandard.org 

ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA 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.

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