Emissions testing in the context of the EU Taxonomy Regulation
The EU Taxonomy Regulation came into force in 2022. It is a set of rules for defining whether companies operate and act ecologically (and also socially) and thus make comparisons possible within the framework of sustainable investments – “greenwashing” is thereby to be prevented and a contribution to achieving the EU climate goals made possible.
A catalogue of criteria has been defined for most industries as to what exactly is to be understood and implemented under “ecologically sustainable management”. Thus, the EU Taxonomy Regulation is one of the most important components of the European Green Deal, which has set the goal of CO2 climate neutrality for the EU by 2050.
Environmental goals of the EU Taxonomy Regulation
6 environmental goals have been defined:
- Climate protection
- Climate change adaption
- Sustainable use of water and marine
- Transition to a circular economy
- Pollution prevention and control
- Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems
A company’s economic activities should focus on one of the above-mentioned goals and not run counter to any of them.
The EU Commission has developed a simple EU taxonomy compass for this purpose, which can be found here.
Product emission and the EU Taxonomy Regulation
Product emissions are also an issue here:
In the context of the assessments of economic activities under the EU Taxonomy Regulation for new construction and renovation of buildings, the following is designated to avoid significant adverse effects:
Building components and materials used in the construction that may come into contact with occupiers emit less than 0,06 mg of formaldehyde per m3 of material or component [1] upon testing in accordance with the conditions specified in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and less than 0,001 mg of other categories 1A and 1B carcinogenic volatile organic compounds per m3 of material or component, upon testing in accordance with CEN/EN 16516 or ISO 16000-3:2011 (291) or other equivalent standardised test conditions and determination methods.
[1] it should correctly read per m³ air – see also pt. 118 in the Q & A document on the EU Taxonomy Regulation | Draft Commission Notice (tab: “Downloads)
Subject to change without notice; last updated October 1st 2024
