Sustainability labels and certification schemes are a crucial link in the communication between producers of bio‑based products and consumers. Yet, current label design and messaging often fail to convey clear and verifiable information. The EU‑funded research project 3‑CO (Concise Consumer Communication through Robust Labels for Biobased Systems) aims to improve consumer communication through labels and certification schemes. 3-CO gathered data from consumer research, reviewed 25 existing labelling and certification schemes, and assessed different social innovation approaches to develop practical, evidence‑based guidelines for creating labels that are transparent, trustworthy, and effective.
On 12 September 2025, from 10:00-13:00 CEST, the 3-CO team is organising an interactive workshop to discuss, and refine these developed guidelines.
This 3‑CO validation workshop invites industry professionals, policy makers, researchers, label developers and certification scheme holders, social innovators, and consumer advocates to critically examine and validate the proposed design guidelines. Participants will gain insight into consumer behaviour towards bio-based products and eco-labels, and learn about consumer concerns, design deficits, and key sustainability criteria.
The goal is to develop recommendation for creating labels that are clear, credible, and easy to understand from a consumer perspective.
Your experiences are valuable contributions to help ground these guidelines in practicality and evidence. Generated outcomes of this workshop will ensure that the final guidelines are relevant, actionable, and in tune with both policy developments and market realities of key-stakeholders.
Smart Consumer Labels for the EU-BioEconomy – 3-CO Validation Workshop 12 September 2025 10:00-13:00 CEST
For more information and registration details, visit the official 3-CO project website at www.3co-project.eu.
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 European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
3-CO Validation Workshop: Smart Consumer Labels for the EU-BioEconomy 
