Integrating Enzyme Technologies into EU Policy Frameworks - Enzyme Cluster Policy Brief

Enzyme technologies are revolutionising industries by providing sustainable, efficient, and non-toxic alternatives to conventional chemical-based processes. These innovations directly align with the European Union’s (EU) safety goals under the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, Safe and Sustainable by Design framework (SSbD), and the Clean Industrial Deal. However, regulatory inconsistencies - particularly within chemical classifications – pose significant barriers to the widespread adoption of enzyme-based solutions. This policy brief draws insights from the FNR-16 projects (EnXylaScope, FuturEnzyme, OXIPRO, and RadicalZ) and extensive stakeholder and consumer surveys, highlights the economic and environmental benefits of enzyme technologies, identifies regulatory obstacles, and provides clear policy recommendations to position enzymes as catalysts for Europe’s green and digital transition. At the same time, it emphasises the urgent need to adapt EU regulations to fully harness enzyme technologies as sustainable alternatives to conventional chemicals.