European Standards developed to contribute to the protection of the environment are important to reach the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Standards help tackle climate change, ensure the conservation of the natural environment and implement the sustainable use of resources and energy. They are key tools that complement national and European policies aiming to lead the transition towards a green economy and reach the climate target of net zero by 2050.
CEN and CENELEC work closely together on finding the best ways to respond to the latest challenges of the environmental policy, business and societal needs. They continuously assess the needs and provide the necessary tools to support the work of the standard writers in all sectors in addressing the environmental and climate change related aspects in standards.
Standards, whether they are product standards, service standards, or process standards, all may have an impact on the environment. The environmental impact of a product standard, for example, will vary according to the different stages of the lifecycle that can be distinguished (production, distribution, use and end-of-life). Standardization can play a major role in reducing environmental impacts by influencing the choices that are made in connection with the design of products and processes.
