[:uk]Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2620 establishes specific requirements for considering that carbon dioxide (CO₂) has become permanently chemically bound in a product, as part of the European Union’s efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under Directive 2003/87/EC. The key provisions of this Regulation are outlined below:
**1. Subject Matter (Article 1):**
The Regulation specifies the criteria under which CO₂ is deemed to be permanently chemically bound within a product, effectively removing it from contributing to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
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**2. Definitions (Article 2):**
The Regulation provides precise definitions for terms used:
– **Capture:** Any technological process required to capture CO₂ resulting from activities within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, including any necessary processing or purification prior to utilization.
– **Utilization:** Technological processes that use captured CO₂ as a feedstock to manufacture products.
– **Chemically Bound:** CO₂ that has been chemically transformed, with the carbon atom fixed by strong chemical bonds in a way that prevents its global warming impact.
– **Product:** Goods or materials, including intermediates and derivatives, that incorporate CO₂ by chemically binding it.
– **Construction Product:** Any physical item marketed for permanent incorporation into construction works or parts thereof.
– **Normal Use:** The typical manner in which a product is expected to be used by the end user, based on its characteristics.
– **Normal End-of-Life Activity:** Prevailing treatment of a product after it is discarded by the end user, according to existing waste management practices and legislation.
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**3. Requirements for Permanent Capture and Utilization (Article 3):**
For CO₂ to be considered permanently chemically bound in a product, **all** the following criteria must be met:
**a) Active and Controlled Utilization Process:**
– The CO₂ must be chemically bound in the product through an intentional and controlled process.
– The process must allow for accurate measurement and determination of the amount of CO₂ equivalent that is bound in the product during utilization.
– This measurement excludes any carbon already present before the process or absorbed naturally from the atmosphere or other sources after the process.
**b) Permanence of Chemical Bonding:**
– The CO₂ must remain chemically bound in the product, not re-entering the atmosphere under normal use or during any normal end-of-life activities, for at least several centuries.
– For products with multiple normal use and end-of-life pathways, all potential pathways must be considered to ensure the CO₂ remains bound.
– Products that may undergo high-temperature combustion (e.g., waste incineration) during normal use or at the end of their life are **not** considered to permanently chemically bind CO₂.
**c) Recognized Products (Paragraph 2):**
– Products that meet these criteria are listed in the Annex of the Regulation.
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**4. Products Considered to Permanently Chemically Bind CO₂ (Annex):**
The Regulation specifically identifies mineral carbonates used in certain construction products as fulfilling the criteria for permanent CO₂ binding:
**a) Carbonated Aggregates:**
– Used unbound or bound in mineral-based construction products.
**b) Carbonated Constituents of Cement, Lime, or Other Hydraulic Binders:**
– Incorporated into construction products.
**c) Carbonated Concrete:**
– Includes precast blocks, pavers, or aerated concrete.
**d) Carbonated Bricks, Tiles, or Other Masonry Units:**
– Used in various construction applications.
These products are recognized due to their long lifespans and the stability of the chemical bonds formed during the carbonation process, which effectively traps CO₂ for several centuries.
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**5. Review Process (Article 4):**
**a) Periodic Review:**
– The European Commission will periodically review and, if necessary, update the list of products in the Annex.
– The review will consider technological advancements, innovations in carbon storage methods, and improvements in monitoring, reporting, and verification practices.
**b) Submissions from Competent Authorities:**
– Competent authorities may submit requests to update the Annex.
– Such requests must be supported by evidence demonstrating compliance with the criteria established in Article 3(1).
**c) Transparency:**
– The results and relevant documentation from any review will be made publicly available.
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**6. Entry into Force (Article 5):**
The Regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, ensuring uniform implementation across the European Union.
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**Summary:**
This Regulation sets forth stringent criteria for determining when CO₂ can be considered permanently chemically bound within a product, thereby mitigating its potential impact as a greenhouse gas. By defining specific products—primarily certain mineral carbonates used in construction materials—as meeting these criteria, the Regulation aims to promote technologies and practices that contribute to long-term carbon storage. The inclusion of a review process allows for the adaptation of the Regulation to technological progress and ensures that only products that genuinely sequester CO₂ in a stable and permanent form are recognized.[:]
