European industry: Outdated EU regulation and slow approvals risk suffocating biosolutions sector
As the global race for biosolutions intensifies, Europe stands at a critical crossroads. With rapid advancements in biotech and biomanufacturing by China, the United States, and other regions, Europe risks falling behind due to its sluggish regulatory system. Today, the European Biosolutions Coalition, representing 12 industry organizations across the continent, calls for urgent action from the European Commission and European politicians to create favorable conditions for the biosolutions sector to flourish on European soil.
“It is essential for Europe to act now to maintain our leadership in the biosolutions industry," says Sofie Carsten Nielsen, Director of the European Biosolutions Coalition. "Our regulatory processes are the slowest among competitor regions, hampering our ability to compete globally. We need a bold and broad EU Biotech Act to boost competitiveness, speed up the green transition, and enhance European self-reliance."
Biosolutions leverage the power of enzymes, microorganisms, and precision fermentation to facilitate the transition from a fossil-based economy to a biologically-based economy. These innovative solutions are crucial for boosting food production, enabling sustainable industrial processes, and reducing environmental pressures.
“Europe is losing momentum as we speak, because we are burying ourselves in over regulation not fit for the future and certainly not fit for new innovative solutions like biosolutions,” says Fabrice Le Saché, Vice President of MEDEF, France. “We urgently need a smoother and better EU regulation, allowing the financing and scaling of biosolutions in Europe if we are to improve European competitiveness.”
At a conference in Brussels today, the European Biosolutions Coalition presented a joint declaration to Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, who delivered the keynote speech. The declaration calls for three critical actions:
- Regulatory Acceleration: Reform Europe’s regulatory frameworks to match the efficiencies seen in the US, Canada, and China, while maintaining European quality and security standards.
- Strategic Investment: Ensure substantial investments are available and easy to access for both small and large biosolutions companies.
- Prioritizing Biosolutions: Recognize biosolutions as strategic priorities within EU industrial policy to accelerate the shift to a biobased economy and position Europe as a leader in sustainability and resilience.
"Recognising biosolutions as a strategic priority within European-wide industrial policy is crucial," states Jane Wall, Managing Director at the Bioindustry Association, United Kingdom. "Advanced biotechnology has the potential to generate significant economic value, reduce CO2 emissions, and unlock global sustainability. We must act now to ensure that Europe enables companies to deliver this world-changing innovation.”
The European Biosolutions Coalition, comprising industry leaders from France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark, is dedicated to advocating for the green transition and fostering improved conditions for biosolutions companies in the EU.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Christensen
Press Officer, European Biosolutions Coalition / Danish Industry
Email: lmfc@di.dk
Phone: +45 9388 3611
Link for the European Biosolutions Coalition Declaration: https://www.eubiocoalition.eu/publications2/declaration/
About the European Biosolutions Coalition:
The European Biosolutions Coalition is an initiative established by several industry organizations to elevate the prominence of biosolutions on the European agenda. The Coalition is committed to advocating for the green transition, fostering intelligent approaches within the industry, and creating enhanced prospects for biosolutions companies in the EU.
