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FOLOU participates in the development of an ISO standard on food loss and waste quantification

06/06/2025

FOLOU is participating in the ISO (International Organisation for Standardization) working group responsible for developing a standard on food loss and waste quantification methodologies. A liaison between FOLOU and the working group (ISO/TC 34/SC 20 WG2) has been officially approved, with the BETA Technological Centre (UVIC-UCC) representing the project in this forum.

Currently being developed as a Technical Specification, ISO/TS 20008: Quantification, measurement, monitoring, and reporting methods for food loss and waste will address the entire food supply chain—from primary production to household consumption. It will include standardized definitions and terminology, accuracy assessments of specific methodologies, descriptions of required equipment, and guidance on suitability across different stages of the food supply chain, among other aspects.

ISO/TS 20008 complements ISO/CD 20001-2, a related standard also under development, which will establish requirements for food loss and waste management systems.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, standards are technical documents designed to be used as rules, guidelines, or definitions. Although their application is voluntary, they are widely recognized and often support legislation. Standards are developed within standardization bodies through a transparent, open, and consensus-based process involving all interested stakeholders.

The most prominent of these bodies is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)—an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes global standards. Its mission is to promote international proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability across products, services, and systems.

The inclusion of the FOLOU methodology in ISO standards—or CEN (European Committee for Standardization) standards at the European level—is intended to facilitate its adoption by EU Member States. This would enhance the methodology’s acceptance and utilization by industry stakeholders, while potentially supporting the development of future policies.

Through its standardization activities, FOLOU aims to contribute to European policy objectives by introducing a harmonized framework for the quantification of food loss at the primary production level. This effort begins with the establishment of common definitions and criteria to enable the comparability and replicability of measurements across countries, regions, and sectors.

Beyond its contribution to European institutions, the FOLOU project also seeks to support the efforts of international organizations and companies working to reduce food loss. By participating in the development of ISO/TS 20008, FOLOU collaborates with—and learns from—some of the world’s leading experts in food loss and waste policy.

Key contributions from FOLOU include advocating for clear definitions of the different stages of the food supply chain, emphasizing the role of public institutions as key users of the standard, and promoting the FOLOU methodology as a recognized approach for quantifying food loss at the primary production stage.

The development of ISO/TS 20008 is expected to continue until March 2026. Until then, FOLOU representatives will continue to make their best efforts to help deliver an ambitious and consistent standard that supports effective action to reduce food loss and waste.