MAY 2026

Dear ECOS subscriber,

This year we celebrate 25 years of ECOS. For a quarter of a century, our international network of members, experts, and partners has been the environmental voice in standards – hear from them in a new series of testimonials as we celebrate this milestone. We look forward to welcoming ECOS members to our network days and AGM next week to further celebrate our 25th anniversary.

We also have an update from the ECOS Africa project on green digitalisation – registration is now open for two webinars, where we will discuss the environmental impact of ICT products and the uptake of sustainable alternatives.

25 years of ECOS, as seen by our partners

This year marks the 25th anniversary of ECOS – a milestone we are proud to celebrate together with our partners, members, and experts who help shape our journey. We have prepared a series of testimonials from our close collaborators over the years. Take a look at our journey, in their words.

InDiCo Global: Where digital transformation and standards meet

ECOS is tackling green digitalisation in the African region, with a focus on Kenya. In a new project, we will work at the nexus of ICT products and the environment, policy and standards, and Africa and Europe. Our aim is to increase awareness of the environmental implications of the ICT value-chain and facilitate exchanges of knowledge between stakeholders in Africa and Europe, unlocking opportunities for collaboration.

African Day of Standardisation

ECOS will participate in the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) General Assembly and join the celebrations for African Day of Standardisation on 17 June 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. Senior Programme Manager, Marxine Waite, will represent ECOS as a key partner and stakeholder in standardisation work for the continent; she will also be part of an expert panel to discuss ‘aligning standards, certification, and trade policy with the 2030 sustainable development goals to accelerate sustainable industrialisation and development in Africa’.

Webinars on ICT products, standards, and policy

Exploring the environmental impacts of ICT products

25 June | 11:00-12:00 CEST/12:00-13:00 EAT

In this webinar we will share information about the environmental impacts of ICT products and introduce examples of ecodesign and e-waste management standards and policies, exploring best practices and insights from Europe and Africa.

Boosting the uptake of sustainable ICT products

2 July | 11:00-12:00 CEST/12:00-13:00 EAT

Join us as we focus on the potential of digital product passports and sustainable procurement to boost the uptake of sustainable ICT products, including in the Kenyan context.

• Implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation: The role of voluntary certification
• EU Raw Materials Coalition assessment of the RESourceEU Action Plan
• Addressing microplastics release from apparel
• The EU Fertiliser Action Plan must herald the end of fossil input dependency
• A Future-Proof Post-2030 EU Energy Framework
• Uphold the deadline and requirements of EU Packaging rules
• Action and Market Based Instruments – ECOS feedback

This seafood comes with a backstory you can verify

Digital traceability in fish helps buyers and small-scale fishers, writes Environmental Defense Fund (USA). Those who can meet the standards may gain access to buyers who pay more and demand higher quality.

Social enterprises' role in furniture and mattress circularity

Drawing on 14 case studies from across Europe, the latest report from RREUSE maps how social enterprises collect, recover, prepare for reuse, and redistribute furniture and mattresses - extending product lifespans, creating inclusive jobs, and getting essential goods to communities that need them.

Reopening packaging rules risks environmental protections and regulatory certainty

A broad alliance of over 160 Break Free From Plastic members and allies urge EU leaders to reject lobbying pushes to reopen the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This would undermine regulatory certainty for companies already investing in compliance, and sets a precedent for corporate influence over environmental law after adoption.

One year of Buy Better to Build Better

The Buy Better to Build Better coalition celebrates one year of being at the forefront of making strategic procurement a core pillar of the EU's competitiveness and sustainability agenda. BBBB members are ready for green purchasing practices to become the norm and are showcasing solutions already brought to the market.

National Plastic Summit 2026

4 June - Abuja, Nigeria

Discussing the harmonisation of policies, standards, and roadmaps, Senior Programme Manager Marxine Waite will highlight how standards can be used effectively for policy implementation and why this matters from an environmental perspective. Hosted by the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), and the Global Plastic Action Partnership.

Setting the standard for refurbishment in Europe’s ICT sector

9 June - European Parliament, Brussels

Senior Programme Manager Mathieu Rama will be at the official launch of the EUREFAS quality label, where he joins the panel to discuss how a quality label for refurbished ICT products can help to foster the uptake of refurbished ICT products.

From e-waste to strategic autonomy: Can the Circular Economy Act deliver for Europe’s raw materials?

25 June - Brussels, Belgium

ECOS Programme Director Valeria Botta will take part in a moderated panel to discuss how EU policy can unlock the potential of e-waste recycling by improving collection, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and enabling investment, while strengthening circular value chains for strategic raw materials across Europe.