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ECOFACT is actively working to develop a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) within the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) for a structured methodology for industrial organisations to demonstrate energy management and sustainable manufacturing achievements. This document will guide companies on key performance indicators (KPIs) for benchmarking and communicating sustainability improvements, potentially paving the way for industry-wide conformity assessments to ensure credibility and consistency. 

In this inclusive development approach, ECOFACT is incorporating expertise from project partners like UNE, AENOR, CARTIF, CERTH, GULLÓN, and TOFAS. Additionally, other Horizon 2020 projects DENIM and E2COMATION have joined, bringing diverse insights aligned with the shared goal of energy-efficient manufacturing system management. 

UNE, the Spanish standardisation body and our partner in ECOFACT, serves as the Workshop Secretariat, with the CWA to be made freely accessible on the CEN website upon finalisation. This ensures wide availability for stakeholders. 

Figure 1 Development of CWA Planning  

The CEN workshop initiated on May 27, 2024. Joining the CEN Workshop after the kick-off meeting is possible but subject to the agreement of the CEN Workshop. members.   Voting within the workshop adheres to a simple majority, with each participant having one vote, ensuring a fair and inclusive decision-making process.  The development process remains open to all interested stakeholders, though an open commenting period. 

In November 2023, ECOFACT presented the CWA’s objectives at a CEN-CLC/JTC 14 meeting, where it was well-received. Other key bodies, such as the CEN-CENELEC Sector Forum on Energy Management and Transition and the CEN-CENELEC Strategic Advisory Body on Environment (SABE), have also been informed of the CWA’s progress.

Figure 2 Dissemination and participation strategy

CWA Objectives and Scope

The CWA, titled “Requirements for a Methodology for the Implementation of an Energy Management and Sustainable Manufacturing (EMSM) Project in Industrial Factories,” aims at leveraging the results in ECOFACT Project though standardization to improve energy management and sustainability practices in factories.  

The document takes as a basis Key Performance Indicators (KPI) identified in ECOFACT for the assessment of sustainability in manufacturing and the methodology developed by ECOFACT´s partners for EMSM Projects. 

The CWA is designed for broad applicability across industries of all sizes, sectors, and locations. It will outline requirements for an EMSM Project in industrial settings, supporting European industries in achieving sustainability goals and improving competitiveness. Factories will also have the option to undergo a conformity assessment audit.  

ECOFACT Project has developed a 3rd party certification scheme for the CWA.

Figure 3 Third party certification scheme design 

By adopting the proposed standardisation, companies may ensure security of supply through energy savings and diversification, enhance economic competitiveness and support sustainability initiatives to combat climate change, depending on the improvements the organizations have decided in each case for their own EMSM Project  

Even more, the CWA is widely related with already existing and well spread standards, including:

• EN 17267:2019: Energy measurement and monitoring plan. 
• EN 16231:2012: Energy efficiency benchmarking methodology. 
• EN 16325:2013+A1:2015: Guarantees of Origin for electricity. 
• EN 16247-3:2022: Energy audits – Part 3: Processes. 

Next Steps and Timeline

The CEN Workshop has attracted 19 experts from five countries, with input from Horizon 2020 projects l. A draft version of the CWA has already received 71 comments, reflecting active engagement from stakeholders. They were solved at the WS 2^nd meeting celebrated on December 9, 2024, with the final CWA publication anticipated by March 2025, in advance of ECOFACT’s projected completion in June 2025. 

Empowering Factories Through ECOFACT’s Methodology

The ECOFACT Project is developing the ECO-innovative Energy FACTory Management platform, a TRL 7 tool integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to help industries optimise energy usage within production constraints. Additionally, the platform’s green marketing component enables companies to highlight their products’ environmental credentials transparently. 

ECOFACT has also created a certification model for the certification of an EMSM Project that may allow industries provide evidence and gain visibility in a credible way on their achievements and improvements regarding energy-efficiency and sustainability for a given period.  

Standardisation, Certification, and Regulation within ECOFACT

Within ECOFACT, Work Package 7 (WP7), led by UNE, focuses on embedding energy-efficient manufacturing innovations into standardisation, certification, and regulatory frameworks. Key tasks include:

• Task 7.1 (UNE): Analysing existing frameworks and identifying pathways for ECOFACT methodologies. 
• Task 7.2 (UNE): Developing and coordinating standardisation efforts like the CWA. 
• Task 7.3 (AENOR): Creating recommendations for certifying sustainable manufacturing practices. 
• Task 7.4 (RINA): Aligning ECOFACT with policy instruments that support sustainable manufacturing. 

These tasks benefit from input across the project’s consortium, ensuring alignment with industry needs and promoting long-term impact. 

Through the CWA and the broader ECOFACT Project, European industries are better positioned to achieve standardized, energy-efficient practices and drive the sustainable manufacturing agenda forward.