ONE EARTH is exploring the production of bio adhesives, glues made from biological waste, as eco-friendly alternatives to petrochemical-based adhesives. Dairy by-products offer a promising example: researchers have created water-resistant…
Agrokomplex in Nitra celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, confirming its status as the largest agricultural event in Slovakia. From 3–7 September 2025, more than 92,000 visitors explored the exhibition grounds, including…
Europe’s poultry industry generates around 3.6 million tonnes of feathers each year as a by-product of slaughterhouses. Currently, only about 25% of these feathers are reused, mainly in low-value applications like animal feed or…
The fisheries and aquaculture sector generates millions of tonnes of by-products each year, including skin, scales, and bones, many of which go underutilised. Globally, up to two-thirds of caught fish (by weight) is discarded as waste, posing both…
The ONE EARTH project demonstrates an innovative climate-friendly solution: using CO₂-rich gases from fermentation as an input for microalgae cultivation. Instead of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the CO₂…
Cheese whey, by-product of cheese making, is one of the largest waste streams in the dairy industry. In 2022, the EU produced over 55 million tons of whey. Rather than posing an environmental challenge, this lactose-rich effluent can be transformed into…
The ONE EARTH project is closely aligned with European Union strategies such as the European Green Deal and the Bioeconomy Strategy, which aim to decouple economic growth from resource use and foster a circular economy. The EU defines the bioeconomy…
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and a key component of fertilizers used in agriculture…
The circular bioeconomy team
On July 17th, ONE EARTH co-organized and joined the first internal cluster workshop bringing together three Horizon Europe projects…
Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Bio-Based Innovations
As ONE EARTH advances the development of novel bio-based products, including nutraceuticals, cosmetics, adhesives, feeds, and fertilizers, ensuring their safety and regulatory compliance is a core priority. Each product undergoes dedicated testing in relevant environments to assess its safety, quality, and suitability for use.
Meeting EU Regulatory Standards
For instance, nutraceutical ingredients must comply with existing EU food safety laws and, if they are new to the food supply, may fall under the Novel Food Regulation. Cosmetic ingredients must meet the requirements of the EU Cosmetic Regulation, which mandates evidence of safety and prohibits certain substances. In the case of animal feed, all new components must be assessed under EU feed law, often involving evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
ONE EARTH integrates these requirements into its communication strategy to ensure transparency. All developed products are subject to rigorous evaluation processes, in line with the EU’s high standards for consumer health and environmental safety.
Beyond Compliance: Sustainability and Policy Alignment
Beyond compliance, the project also assesses the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the entire value chain. This ensures that innovations are not only safe and technically viable but also beneficial for society and commercially scalable.
The EU regulatory landscape is also evolving to support circular bio-based products. For example, the 2019 EU Fertilising Products Regulation allows waste-derived fertilizers to receive CE marking and be sold across the EU single market, provided they meet defined quality criteria. ONE EARTH follows such policy developments to demonstrate that its bio-based solutions are aligned with current and emerging regulatory frameworks.
In summary, ONE EARTH embeds safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainability metrics into every stage of product development. This approach lays the foundation for public trust and supports the successful market introduction of new bio-based solutions.
