# EU Bioeconomy Strategy Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/eu-bioeconomy-strategy Entry type: initiative Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: delivered. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Instrument: Communication Date as recorded: 26 Nov 2025 Date kind: date Status note: full date links only to published artifact types ## Summary The EU Bioeconomy Strategy combines regulatory, investment and market actions to support sustainable and circular bio-based activity. The Commission plans work on biotechnology, construction-product standards, biomass monitoring, bio-based plastics, public procurement, biogas and biomethane, and industrial symbiosis. It will also establish forums and investment arrangements, support blue-bioeconomy innovation, provide practical guidance for land managers, and pursue international cooperation, stakeholder dialogue and EU-wide monitoring. ## Sources - [Official source]() ## Action items (31; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 540001 Adopt Biotech Acts 2025 3Q 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: no. ### 2. Action item 540002 Establish a European Bioeconomy Regulators and Innovators’ Forum 1Q2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 2. Digital dimension: no. ### 3. Action item 540003 Adopt standardisation requests for doors & windows, structural timber products/elements and ancillaries, wood-based panels and elements, thermal insulation products under the Construction Products Regulation 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 3. Digital dimension: no. ### 4. Action item 540004 Support co-operation of primary producers to drive joint investments in innovative bio-based value chains through CAP investment support, sectoral interventions and the European Innovation Partnership 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 4. Digital dimension: no. ### 5. Action item 540005 Launch of a European Bioeconomy Investment Deployment Group 2026-2028 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: no. ### 6. Action item 540006 Review the current CBE JU partnership arrangement, and identify the most effective and impactful future collaboration options under the next Multi- Annual Financial Framework 2026-2028 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 6. Digital dimension: no. ### 7. Action item 540007 Ensure that sustainable biomanufacturing and other bio-based economic activities are appropriately recognised in the upcoming revisions of the EU Taxonomy Delegated Acts 2026-2028 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: no. ### 8. Action item 540008 Revise the Recommendation on the use of Environmental Footprint (EF) methods and provision of data 4Q2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 8. Digital dimension: no. ### 9. Action item 540009 Analysis and exchange of best practices on cascading use with a community of practitioners within the EC Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy 2026-2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 9. Digital dimension: no. ### 10. Action item 540010 The Energy Union package for the decade ahead will take into account the experience gained by the implementation of the RED Directive including its sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria, and technological developments in energy from renewable sources. 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 10. Digital dimension: no. ### 11. Action item 540011 Publish a report, in line with Article 3(3) RED, on the impact of Member States’ support schemes for biomass, including on biodiversity, climate and the environment, and on possible market distortions. 2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: no. ### 12. Action item 540012 Adoption of criteria and targets for bio-based plastics under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 12. Digital dimension: no. ### 13. Action item 540013 ESPR delegated acts on eco-design requirements for textiles and furniture, as announced in the first ESPR working plan 2027-2028 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 13. Digital dimension: no. ### 14. Action item 540014 Continue standardisation work for bio-based construction products under the Construction Products Regulation 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 14. Digital dimension: no. ### 15. Action item 540015 Support the development of industrial symbiosis valleys and bioeconomy hubs As of 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 15. Digital dimension: no. ### 16. Action item 540016 Launch the Competitiveness Coordination Tool including voluntary ‘Bio-based Europe’ Alliance Q2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 16. Digital dimension: no. ### 17. Action item 540017 Certification methodology for long-lasting carbon storage in buildings under the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 17. Digital dimension: no. ### 18. Action item 540018 Improve green public procurement requirements and create lead markets for bio-based materials and clean strategic technologies through the revision of the EU public procurement legislation Rolling Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 18. Digital dimension: no. ### 19. Action item 540019 Exchange good practices for local circular uses of animal by-products supported under the CAP network 2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 19. Digital dimension: no. ### 20. Action item 540020 Support biogas and biomethane production valorising bio-waste and residues and enabling the use of the co-produced digestate as bio based fertilising products through a tripartite agreement 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 20. Digital dimension: no. ### 21. Action item 540021 Assess best bioeconomy practices and innovations to increase nitrogen use efficiencies in bioeconomy systems and value networks as of 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 21. Digital dimension: no. ### 22. Action item 540022 Issue guidance on circular business models 2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 22. Digital dimension: no. ### 23. Action item 540023 Improve data and modelling for monitoring biomass availability (relying on the Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy) As of 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 23. Digital dimension: no. ### 24. Action item 540024 Launch of the blue bioeconomy innovation initiative and related Horizon Europe funding 2026-2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 24. Digital dimension: no. ### 25. Action item 540025 Incentivise data-driven approaches to the development of a sustainable bioeconomy: integration of Earth Observation (EO) data to monitor sustainable biomass availability and related land-use changes and biodiversity concerns. 2027 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 25. Digital dimension: no. ### 26. Action item 540026 Develop an EU-wide repository of knowledge with practical, locally adapted guidance to support farmers, foresters, and land managers in improving biomass productivity, resilience to extreme weather, and the delivery of ecosystem services, including under the Mission Soil By 2030 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 26. Digital dimension: no. ### 27. Action item 540027 Use the EU free trade agreements and other partnerships and international fora to advance cooperation on expanding market access for sustainable bioeconomy solutions. Identify and address regulatory and technical trade barriers to support investment in bio-based sectors Rolling Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 27. Digital dimension: no. ### 28. Action item 540028 Work with selected partner countries to promote European innovation and build strategic partnerships and facilitate investments, including through Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships and Global Gateway. 2026-27 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 28. Digital dimension: no. ### 29. Action item 540029 Advance global cooperation and streamline global governance on sustainable and circular bioeconomy, Rolling Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 29. Digital dimension: no. ### 30. Action item 540030 EU bioeconomy dialogues with Member States on the implementation of the EU bioeconomy strategy, mobilisation of the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy Stakeholder Platforms, the European Board for Agriculture and Food (EBAF) and EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassadors Programme. As of Q12026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 30. Digital dimension: no. ### 31. Action item 540031 Monitoring of the EU bioeconomy through the EU Bioeconomy Monitoring System economic and environmental aspects. As of 2026 Provenance: source document doc-068, paragraph 31. Digital dimension: no. ## Referenced entries - [Energy Union Package]() — status: forthcoming. The EU will deepen its Energy Union to deliver affordable, clean energy through stronger governance and integration. Therefore, the Commission will launch an Energy Union Task Force, publish a White Paper on electricity-market integration, revise the Governance Regulation, and present a Clean Energy Investment Strategy, a Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), and a Fusion Strategy. It will table an Electrification Action Plan, a Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector, and a Heating & Cooling Strategy to accelerate electrification, flexibility and efficiency. A revised energy-security framework will enhance stability and resilience, informed by lessons from the energy crisis. Source document doc-068, action item 540010: > The Energy Union package for the decade ahead will take into account the experience gained by the implementation of the RED Directive including its sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria, and technological developments in energy from renewable sources. 2026 - [Competitiveness Coordination Tool (CCT)]() — status: not recorded. The Competitiveness Coordination Tool joins the EU, Member States and industry to deploy major investment projects and pursue reforms supporting strategic value chains. Current projects range from AI Gigafactories and clean-transport corridors to batteries, energy connections, chemicals, med-biotech, bio-based materials, offsite construction, circularity hubs and advanced chips. Examples include €20 billion being mobilised for AI Gigafactories and €10 million of initial EU funding for the European Med-Biotech Accelerator. The Tool is testing a new way to coordinate investment across Member States. Source document doc-068, action item 540016: > Launch the Competitiveness Coordination Tool including voluntary ‘Bio-based Europe’ Alliance Q2026 ## Citing documents - [Commission work programme 2025 + Annex]() — status: not recorded. The 2025 work programme brings together planned legislation and policy strategies covering competitiveness, the Single Market and industrial transition. Its programme includes measures on affordable energy, startups and scaleups, savings and investment, and business simplification. Digital priorities span AI, quantum technology, electronic communications, business wallets and the space sector. The programme also identifies work on defence, preparedness, internal security and hospital cybersecurity. Skills, quality jobs, consumer protection and democratic resilience sit alongside these economic and technological measures. Each listed initiative carries an indicative timetable, and the programme distinguishes legislative proposals from non-legislative plans. Source document doc-005, action item 60015: > Bioeconomy Strategy (non-legislative or legislative, Q4 2025) - [Competitiveness Compass]() — status: not recorded. The Competitiveness Compass brings together work on innovation, industrial transition and the conditions for businesses to grow in Europe. Its agenda spans startups, strategic technologies, research and investment, alongside affordable energy, cleaner industry and circular production. Measures on the Single Market, simpler rules, procurement and standardisation accompany this sectoral work. The programme also includes trade partnerships, raw-material supplies, security and preparedness. Skills, labour mobility and quality jobs connect the economic agenda with workforce needs. The programme combines strategies, legislative proposals, investment initiatives and coordination measures across these policy areas. Source document doc-019, action item 180008: > European Biotech Act and Bioeconomy Strategy [2025-2026] - [Startup and Scaleup Strategy]() — status: not recorded. The strategy aims to make it easier for innovative companies to start, grow and operate across Europe. It combines simpler company rules and digital administration with better access to finance, markets, talent and research infrastructure. Proposed measures include the 28th regime, the European Business Wallet, regulatory sandboxes and support for deep-tech investment. Work on research commercialisation, intellectual property and procurement is intended to help ideas reach customers. Talent initiatives address education, mobility and recruitment, while common definitions, a scoreboard and an annual founder survey would track changes in the startup and scaleup environment. Source document doc-035, action item 330005: > The Commission will put forward proposals to reduce regulatory burdens in strategic sectors through forthcoming sectoral legislative and non-legislative proposals, such as the EU Biotech Act, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the EU Life Science Strategy, the Advanced Materials Act the Medical Devices Regulation and the Omnibus Defence Simplification Package (as of 2025). ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. ## Associated policy priorities - [Research, Technology & Industrial Capacity]() ## Broader policy context (shared priority; not a direct citation) - [Advanced Materials Act]() — status: forthcoming. Europe’s competitiveness in the green and digital transitions will depend on its ability to develop, produce and deploy next-generation materials at scale. To achieve this, the Commission will propose an Advanced Materials Act establishing clear framework conditions for the entire value chain; from fundamental research and prototyping to manufacturing and market uptake. The Act will focus on accelerating industrialisation, de-risking private investment and securing resilient supply chains for materials critical to clean technologies, energy, defence and space. By providing a coherent strategic framework, it aims to reduce dependencies, boost technological sovereignty and position Europe as a global leader in advanced materials innovation. - [Charter of Access for Industrial Users to Research and Technology Infrastructures]() — status: forthcoming. This initiative will standardise and simplify industrial access to Europe’s research and technology infrastructures so innovators can prototype, test and scale faster. It will set common, transparent access and contractual terms (e.g. IP use, pricing, liability, data handling) across borders and introduce a streamlined entry point for companies, including startups and scaleups. Linked to the AI Factories ecosystem, the Charter will be backed by dedicated EU support to make AI computing facilities affordable for SMEs. Complementary guidance will clarify how universities and public research organisations can grant access under State aid rules. Together, these measures cut fragmentation, lower transaction costs and speed time-to-market. - [European Biotech Act 1]() — status: in progress. As a cornerstone of the EU’s Life Sciences Strategy, the law will make Europe the most attractive place for biotech by 2030 by speeding approvals and risk assessments without compromising safety, unlocking risk-tolerant finance and biomanufacturing scale, building EU-wide clusters/infrastructure, closing skills gaps, and enabling trusted AI/data use (incl. supercomputing and EHDS links). It tackles single-market fragmentation across health, agri-food, industrial and marine biotech, strengthening competitiveness and economic security. Expected impacts of the law includes faster time-to-market, deeper investment pipelines, resilient supply chains and environmental benefits, supported by strong EU governance. - [European Biotech Act 2]() — status: forthcoming. The proposed European Biotech Act aims to make Europe's health-biotechnology sector more competitive through easier funding, quicker regulatory processes and stronger safeguards. It would support industry, manufacturing and research, especially start-ups and SMEs; facilitate AI, data and digital solutions; simplify rules on clinical trials and cell and gene therapies; and introduce biosecurity measures. The Commission says the Act should help patients gain timelier, broader access to treatments and products. In 2026 it will address the wider biotechnology sector. - [European Centre of Expertise on Research Security]() — status: forthcoming. EU work is underway to establish a Centre of Expertise on Research Security, investing in the evidence base for policymaking and creating a community of practice. It sits alongside a due-diligence platform in development to help universities choose international partners. The Commission presents these measures as support for open but secure research cooperation, responding to risks including foreign interference, malign influence and misuse. - [European Innovation Act]() — status: forthcoming. It will create horizontal, Single-Market-wide conditions to accelerate deployment and diffusion of innovation. The law will (i) simplify and make rules more innovation-friendly (incl. regulatory sandboxes), (ii) unlock IP-backed finance and improve access to EU/national funding, (iii) open research & technology infrastructures to companies, (iv) make public/private procurement more supportive of novel solutions, (v) improve commercialisation of publicly funded R&I (i.e. IP, standardisation, certification), (vi) enable talent attraction/retention (e.g. employee ownership schemes), and (vii) establish EU–Member State coordination of innovation policy, helping to close the EU’s innovation gap. - [European Innovation Council (EIC) Reform]() — status: not recorded. The council will be reformed to operate more strategically and ambitiously, inspired by the US ARPA model. It will shift towards challenge-driven, staged funding for breakthrough, high-risk technologies, focusing on strategic EU priorities and research excellence. The reform will simplify procedures, strengthen the Trusted Investor Network, and build closer ties with Europe’s unicorns to improve policy feedback loops. By combining public and private capital, the EIC will accelerate the scale-up of deep-tech companies in critical sectors and better align innovation funding with Europe’s competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and security objectives. - [European Research Area Act & ERIC Reform]() — status: forthcoming. The Act Act will realise a “fifth freedom” by enabling the free movement of researchers, knowledge and technology across a single EU R&I market, anchored in TFEU Articles 179 and 182(5). It will (1) secure national commitments and new mechanisms to reach the 3% of GDP R&D target; (2) align EU–national investments and priorities around strategic technologies; and (3) upgrade framework conditions—attractive careers and mobility, open science and data access, a stronger legal basis for research infrastructures, and better knowledge valorisation. The Act will safeguard fundamental values, bolster research security, and clarify cooperation with third countries. - [European Strategy for AI in Science]() — status: delivered. Adopted alongside the Apply AI Strategy, this initiative fast-tracks responsible AI uptake across disciplines and builds the foundations of RAISE (i.e. a virtual European institute that pools talent, compute, data and funding for “science for AI” and “AI in science”). It launches Thematic Networks of Excellence and RAISE Doctoral Networks; secures priority access to EuroHPC AI Factories and future AI Gigafactories; and links Data Labs with EOSC and other data spaces. Ethics-by-design guidance and “living” rules govern use, while ERA-based coordination, indicators and summits align Member States and industry. Horizon Europe anchors early actions and an investment agenda for 2026-27. - [European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures]() — status: delivered. The strategy aims to improve Europe's research and technology infrastructure capacity, investment and access. It covers criteria and roadmaps for infrastructures of European interest, funding coordination, upgrades, transnational collaboration and services for startups and scaleups. It also addresses FAIR and AI-ready research data, an enhanced EOSC Federation, coordinated governance, skills, international partnerships, resilience, and trusted storage, processing and sharing of critical data. - [Horizon Europe 2026-2027]() — status: not recorded. The next work programme will channel major investments into Europe’s industrial and scientific transformation. A €600 million flagship call under the Clean Industrial Deal will bridge R&I and deployment, fostering synergies with the Innovation Fund and supporting fusion through new PPPs. In life sciences, the Commission will establish a network of ATMP Centres of Excellence (€4 million), pilot stepwise collaborative health research funding, and invest €50 million in multi-modal genAI for biomedical research. €170 million will support a new health–climate agenda, complemented by global research collaboration and foresight on life sciences skills. - [Life Sciences Strategy]() — status: delivered. The Life Sciences Strategy addresses fragmented funding and innovation systems, regulatory complexity and slow market uptake. Its actions include the Biotech Act, coordinated work on new biomedical research methods, a research and innovation agenda for food systems, and a data assembly for cross-regulatory cooperation. The Commission presents these measures as support for innovation, economic growth and job creation in European life sciences. - [Quantum Act]() — status: forthcoming. The Act will make the Quantum Europe Strategy operational, fixing fragmentation by aligning EU and national programmes around a shared RTI agenda and targets. It sets EU-level governance and extends the Chips Joint Undertaking’s remit to quantum technologies, coordinating investments across EU programmes. It anchors a three-stage pipeline—Discover; Lab-to-fab via pilot lines, design tools and standards; Apply & use in lead sectors, while scaling pan-European infrastructures in quantum computing, secure communication (EuroQCI) and sensing. The Act backs skills and industrialisation, strengthens supply chains. It also drives standardisation and interoperability and fosters talent attraction. - [Quantum Europe Strategy]() — status: delivered. **Skills.** The Strategy will launch a European Quantum Skills Academy - initially virtual, then networked - linked to Quantum Competence Clusters and Semiconductors Competence Centres. It will host a Quantum Talent Portal, fellowship schemes and “teach-the-teacher” modules to broaden participation and close the gender gap. Complementary actions include a Digital Europe–funded Quantum Apprenticeship pilot and returnships; Advanced Digital Skills Competitions from 2026; an EIC Researchers-in-Residence scheme placing scientists in quantum startups; and a European Quantum Talent Mobility Programme with fellowships for non-EU PhDs and professionals. Skills intelligence will track needs via the European Skills Intelligence Observatory, ensuring training aligns with fast-evolving industrial demand. **Research.** It contains coordinated roadmaps to speed research-to-industry. The Commission will publish an EU Quantum Computing and Simulation Roadmap, a Quantum Chips Industrialisation Roadmap, and a European Quantum Standards Roadmap, while expanding Quantum Competence Clusters to link labs, pilot lines and design facilities. It adds a coordinated European Quantum Sensing, Measurement and Testing Roadmap. To catalyse uptake, the EU will pilot two Grand Challenges (fault-tolerant computing; quantum PNT) and launch a Pilot Programme for Researchers-in-Residence in quantum startups. For dual-use and space, it will deliver a Quantum Technology Roadmap in space with ESA and a Quantum Sensing Space & Defence Technology Roadmap aligning civil-security priorities. **Infrastructure.** The strategy’s infrastructure track will strengthen secure networks, prove platforms, and link civil–defence use. EuroQCI expands 2025–2035 with cross-border terrestrial links, satellite ground stations and EU certification, converging with IRIS² for end-to-end QKD services. In 2026, a pilot European Quantum Internet will test quantum-safe components and early use cases alongside the EU’s post-quantum cryptography roadmap. Europe will deploy ground/airborne gravimeters and prepare a space-gravimetry pathfinder after 2030. A centralised network of open-access quantum testbeds will serve developers, startups and SMEs. An EU-wide Quantum Technology Risk Assessment concludes in 2026. Spin-in initiatives from 2026 accelerate defence uptake. - [RAISE – European AI Research Council]() — status: not recorded. RAISE has entered a pilot phase as the Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe. The European Commission and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU organised the European AI in Science Summit in Copenhagen, where Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva announced its launch. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()