Against 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.
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Against 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 factsheetRead on to learn about why and how trade measures supporting climate action must ensure credible and accurate Environmental Attribute Certificates to achieve real steel decarbonisation.
Continue readingGlobal trade rules on raw materials are underpinned by standards. Those who set them decide who trades, whose practices are legitimised, whose voices count, and how resources are governed. Trade rules and related standards must be worthy of people and planet. Our factsheet shows how.
Continue readingWithout standard testing methods, it can be difficult to keep harmful products off the market as testing procedures and results will differ between EU Member States. Chemical bans or restrictions are also often delayed when standard testing methods are not in place.
Continue readingReport 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.
Continue readingIn our latest infographic, we outline the steps required to safely reuse structural timber in renovation and construction. Using wood for longer, following the cascading principle, helps to avoid waste and reduce carbon emissions.
Learn moreThis paper explores opportunities for policies and standards to maximise timber reuse and recycling in structural buildings. We make recommendations on different regulations and standards, which can either support or create unwanted barriers to achieving this goal.
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 readingPlastic recycling claims are commonly made on product packaging or in adverts - but how can you tell if it's greenwashing? Does the recycling claim contains false information? Or is the presentation deceive likely to deceive the average consumer even if is factually correct? Learn how to spot greenwashing in our new checklist developed in collaboration with ClientEarth.
Continue readingThis paper qualitatively reviews a select group of standards for measuring soil organic carbon, including those contained in Annex II of the EU's Soil Monitoring Law to support implementation. The focus of this review is on forests soils and soil organic carbon, which is high relevant to forests ecosystem health and is central to ongoing EU policy debates.
Continue readingIn this joint position paper we warn that relying exclusively on the internal market legal base fundamentally misrepresents the environmental objectives and historical context of Circular Economy policy. We instead advocate the adoption of a dual legal basis incorporating Article 114 TFEU (Internal Market) alongside an appropriate environmental legal basis, e.g. Article 192 TFEU.
Continue readingIn this report we conduct a comparative assessment of three representative standards for reusable packaging - to evaluate their alignment with the requirements and objectives of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Continue readingIntergenerational fairness is a core principle of sustainability, highlighting that the needs of the current generation should be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Learn more in our response to the European Commission's call for evidence on the EU's Intergenerational Fairness Strategy.
Continue readingIn our response to the European Commission's consultation and call for evidence on the proposed Circular Economy Act we emphasise that by adopting clear targets, definitions, and reflecting prevention and reuse priorities in key legislative files, the Circular Economy Act can deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
Continue readingJoint open letter to European Commissioner Jessika Roswall to stipulate a common charging plug for electric bicycles and other light means of transport.
Continue readingOver 60 civil society organisations are calling on the European Commission to support a draft French law that seeks to rein in the most harmful commercial practices in the fashion sector. In an open letter, the signatories explain how the French law would strengthen extended producer responsibility rules for textiles by penalising commercial practices that drive overproduction in the fashion sector.
Continue readingIn our joint letter to the INC Bureau we emphasise that fulfilling that mandate of the UN Global Plastics Treaty requires leadership that is fair, transparent, and committed to the public interest. The election for a new Chair must help restore trust in the process, ensure transparency and inclusivity, and steer the process towards outcomes grounded in science, human rights, environmental health, and environmental justice
Continue reading56 organisations have written to EU leaders to express strong concern that the legal basis of the Circular Economy Act could be based solely on the Internal Market. The signatories emphasise that a dual legal basis, incorporating an appropriate environmental legal basis, is essential to ensure the Act is legally robust, politically coherent, and achieves its goals.
Continue readingSignatories express concern over the European Commission's ongoing considerations to amend the ETS State Aid guidelines.
Continue readingThe European Parliament will soon hold votes on the Soil Monitoring Law - the final crucial steps for adopting this important law to address the crisis of soil degradation in Europe. The Council approved the deal on 29 September, and now over 50 civil society organisations call on the European Parliament to act as a responsible co-legislator and seal the deal.
Continue readingRecent comments from the Finnish and Swedish Prime Ministers have called for the weakening of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation. Their position undermines the whole purpose of carbon accounting and their proposed actions prioritise short-term interests of a single sector over long-term societal health and resilience.
Continue readingECOS joins 200 organisations in calling on COP leaders to make transition minerals part of climate negotiations. Read our joint letter.
Continue readingECOS 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.