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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Green steel claims can falsely inflate environmental credentials. How can we ensure reliable and accurate steel labels instead? Read on to learn more.
Continue readingA Ramboll study, commissioned by ECOS, shows that an industry-aligned low-carbon concrete quota can be as high as 80% - 16 times higher than the current 5% proposal put forward by the European Commission - with minimal project level costs.
Continue readingThis year marks the 25th anniversary of ECOS – a milestone we are proud to celebrate together with our partners, members, and experts who have helped shape our journey. As part of this celebration, we have prepared a series of testimonials from those who have closely collaborated with us over the years. Our journey, in their words - take a look!
Continue readingWith the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive now in the implementation phase, National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) will be a key tool to turn the EU’s building energy goals into measurable savings. Together with nine organisations, we’ve assessed the NBRPs of six countries: Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Continue readingImplementing 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 readingThe CCA charter drafted in Working Group 3 draws the wrong conclusions and solutions, not only for climate and the environment - but also for industry itself.
Continue readingFor the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) proposed labelling systems for five types of steel products based on the carbon intensity of their production. This is an important step towards decarbonising a sector with a very high climate impact - but only if it is done right.
Continue readingNegotiations for a UN Plastics Treaty are ongoing, with meetings happening regularly to help negotiators decide what will make it into the final draft. ECOS and other official treaty observers have been invited to share their views. Read our paper outlining how to determine which plastic products will need global measures, actions, or cooperation.
Continue readingPFAS contamination poses a challenge to soil health, food systems, ecosystems and humans. The EU Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive requires Member States to monitor soil contamination but there is not a harmonised analytical standard. In this technical paper we provide recommendations for robust standardisation for PFAS detection in soils and biosolids. Closing this gap is essential to deliver comparable data so that the EU’s PFAS and soil frameworks can function effectively.
Continue readingRead our joint position on the draft act of the delegated regulation on the methodology for the calculation and verification of cobalt, nickel, lithium and lead recycled content in certain batteries. Alongside Zero Waste Europe, the EEB, and DUH, ECOS calls for reliable and transparent rules that exclude fraud during calculation and reporting.
Continue readingThe proposed update ecodesign measure on electronic displays, developed by The European Commission’s consultants, suggests removing the ban on halogenated flame retardants (HFRs). In this paper we outline the key arguments for maintaining restriction on HFRs and other recommendations for improving the recyclability, material efficiency, and circularity of electronic displays.
Continue readingIn collaboration with Deutsche Umwelthilfe, IFixIt, and the Right to Repair Coalition, we provide our recommendations for the review of EU ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for electronic displays.
Continue readingThis report builds on the French legal framework and on the sectoral guidance developed by Réseau Vrac & Réemploi. Its objective is to support the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), in particular article 28 on obligations relating to refill systems, article 51 on measures promoting refill systems, and annex VI, Part C on requirements applicable to refill stations.
Continue readingIn our joint letter we call on Members of the European Parliament to not delay implementing the Euro 7 framework for heavy-duty vehicles brake dust and tyre abrasion, a major source of both air pollution and microplastics. Any delays would weaken EU efforts to address microplastic and particulate air pollution, create regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers investing in cleaner technologies, and send the wrong signal to innovators
Continue readingThe revision of the EU Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action provides a critical opportunity to make it fit for purpose and support the required planning, reporting, and monitoring to drive climate action across all sectors, including agri-food. In our joint letter, as part of the EU Food Policy Coalition, we provide our recommendations for the European Commission's revision proposal.
Continue readingIn this joint letter, we urge the President of the European Commission to use the State of the European Union address to launch a comprehensive, science-based, and independent report to tackle the fossil fuel crisis.
Continue readingRethink Plastic Alliance (RPA) comments on the Ramboll study on labelling requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Continue reading31 civil society organisations have written to the European Commission expressing serious concerns about the Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA) and calling for fundamental reform of its governance and approach.
Continue readingThe rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an unprecedented surge in direct imports from third countries. In 2025 alone, an estimated 5.9 billion low-value e-commerce parcels entered the European Union. Large-scale EU customs control actions have shown that a significant number of third-country imports do not comply with EU rules.
Continue readingAn open letter to the political leadership of the European Commission.
Continue readingAs an active member of the European Commission's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism expert group, ECOS provided feedback on the draft implementing act outlining the rules for accounting for the carbon price paid in third countries under CBAM.
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.