The planned CEN Workshop Agreement will provide clear guidelines and criteria for products produced without burning fossil fuels.
The absence of standardized criteria for fossil-free products leads to confusion and hinders progress in reducing fossil fuel reliance. This workshop aims to create a clear framework to guide companies in transitioning to renewable energy, increase consumer confidence through transparent claims, and help regulatory bodies implement effective policies. There is substantial market demand for such criteria, fueled by growing consumer awareness and regulatory pressure, especially in countries with ambitious climate targets like Germany, France, and the Nordic nations. Industry groups and environmental organizations back this initiative, recognizing its potential to speed up the adoption of renewable energy in supply chains.
It will outline requirements for manufacturing processes and energy use, including:
- Producing all product components without using fossil fuels.
- Operating production facilities solely on renewable energy.
- Demonstrating renewable energy use in manufacturing and transport.
- Banning the incineration of hydrocarbon-based waste for energy at production sites.
- Allowing the use of hydrocarbon-based materials if not burned in production.
These guidelines target manufacturers, certification bodies, regulatory authorities, environmental groups, and industry associations, promoting fossil fuel-free and sustainable practices across the supply chain. Hydrocarbon based products intended for combustion, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane, etc. that cannot be considered fossil free products are excluded from the scope of the workshop.
The publication of the CWA is anticipated to prompt early adoption of fossil-free practices by pioneering companies, thus lowering emissions and setting a benchmark for others to follow.
The virtual kick-off meeting will be held on August 8th 2024 (13:00-16:00 CET). People interested to participate in the kick-off meeting can register using the form below. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the draft Project Plan using the commenting form below.
Download the documents:
For further details on this initiative, please contact:
Fabio Rossi
Technical Officer, UNI
Email: fabio.rossi@uni.com
