Skip to main content
Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Glossary item | Last updated: 24 Feb 2026
Bio-based product
Bioeconomy

Product wholly or partly derived from biomass. 

- Note 1 to entry: The bio-based product is normally characterized by the bio-based carbon content or the bio-based content. For the determination and declaration of the bio-based content and the bio-based carbon content, see the relevant standards developed by CEN/TC 411. 

- Note 2 to entry: Product can be an intermediate, material, semi-finished or final product.

 - Note 3 to entry: "bio-based product" is often used to refer also to a product which is only partly bio-based. In those cases the claim should be accompanied by a quantification of the bio-based content.

EN 16575:2014, European Committee for Standardisation, Technical Committee 411 (CEN TC/411) , Bio-based products – Vocabulary , Mandate M/492, August 2014.

Source category: Standards

Bio-based products are made from renewable, biological raw materials such as plants and trees. The market segment [..] includes non-food new bio-based products and materials such as bio-plastics, bio-lubricants, surfactants, enzymes and pharmaceuticals. It excludes traditional paper and wood products, but also bio-mass as an energy source.

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - A lead market initiative for Europe {SEC(2007) 1729} {SEC(2007) 1730}

Source category: EC Policy Documents