Smart Consumer Labels for the EU-BioEconomy – Your Input for Effective Design Guidelines

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 organised 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.