19. May 2020
A new study by Oxford Research shows that standards play a significant role in the green transition. A substantial 66 % of the companies indicate that standards are important for the green transition in their industry.
”I am happy to experience that companies think that standards facilitate a green transition – both in relation to the reduction of their own climate footprint and in relation to the deployment and implementation of green solutions across the value chain”, says CEO at Danish Standards, Anne Hasløv.
The study shows that 45% of the companies use standards to deploy their green solutions, which contribute to reducing the environmental impact for their customers or the end users. When it comes to selling products and services, a high degree of trust in the solutions is important for the customers as well as a simpler communication about these. The fact that standards contribute to the quality of such solutions is also important to the companies.
Standards have such great significance for the green transition, especially because of their ability to move a market in a greener direction and act as an enabler for new technology. Accordingly, standards act as a common language, which helps to define and substantiate::
“When a company can demonstrate that their green products and solutions comply with standards and thereby document proper quality of their products, it is easier to market and sell them to the customers. Essentially, standards provide the customers with trust that the products and services they purchase are green”, Anne Hasløv elaborates.
At the same time, standards are an effective tool in the internal work of Danish companies with the environment and climate. 41% in the analysis reply that they have reduced their own climate and environmental impact by using standards. The companies especially emphasize increased resource and energy efficiency in internal processes as well as increased use of climate-friendly materials.
Furthermore, many of the companies point to the significance of standards for circular economy. Of the above 41%, 27% say that they have increased the reusability of materials directly in their product, 24% have increased the use of recyclable materials in their solutions and 21% have attained longer durability.
”Today, standards play a significant role in relation to circular economy for many companies. And we expect that this tendency will become even stronger in the future. We have a wide range of standards in preparation for circular economy, which will advance the transition even further” says Anne Hasløv.
However, there is a need for more standards. 64% of the companies call for more standards within green transition – and 65% would like for standards to be applied by many more companies. They also highlight that suppliers and customers, to a larger degree, should be made aware of the advantages of using standards for promoting the green transition.
“We are working full speed on the on the development of standards within green transition and sustainability together with leading experts from Denmark and the rest of the world, so that we can speed up the green transition together. It is a transition, which is critical for Danish companies, and our level of ambition is high”, Anne Hasløv concludes.
At ds.dk/groen-omstilling you can read more about standardization within the green transition and the opportunity to participate in setting the future standards in the field and thereby have an influence on the future market requirements.
The study is based on 580 survey responses from Danish companies who apply standards, and it is supported by follow-up qualitative interviews among chosen companies and experts.
