Standards and the Bio-Economy.

The bio-economy, including production based on biological processes such as food production, forestry, and bio-fuel production, is increasingly governed through the use of private and public standards. These standards have a profound effect on trade in bio-products (food, timber, bio-fuel) and on the actors in the supply chains. Although recent studies have contributed to a better understanding of the use of standards, the focus has been mainly on food standards and many questions remain (e.g the overall impact in low income countries, the environmental impact, the use of standards in bio-fuel production). The aim of this study is a) to make a classification of the standards in the whole bio-economy; b) to analyse whether standards confront consumer expectations with actual impact and c) to investigate whetherthe impact of standards is consistent throughout the whole bio-economy and how insights from the food industry can be used to anticipate effects in the bio-fuel industry.

Keywords:Bio-economics, Standards

Disciplines:Economic development, innovation, technological change and growth