Miljønormer

Miljønormer are environmental standards or guidelines that set expectations for environmental performance for products, processes, organizations, or activities. They can be legally binding regulations or voluntary standards, and are used by authorities, businesses, and civil society to guide decisions, measure compliance, and drive improvements.

They cover areas such as emissions to air and water, waste management, resource use, energy efficiency, chemical safety, noise, and life cycle considerations. Norms can be national, European, or international in scope. Examples include limits on pollutants, requirements for energy labeling, and criteria used in public procurement to favor greener options.

Development and governance of environmental norms involve government agencies, standardization bodies, and industry groups. They are often based on scientific risk assessments, environmental data, and technology availability. Norms may take the form of formal standards (such as ISO or EN standards) or regulatory limits. Enforcement can include permits, inspections, reporting obligations, and penalties; many norms are also voluntary but influence market access and competitiveness.

Environmental norms relate to other concepts such as environmental requirements in contracts, corporate sustainability policies, and life cycle thinking. They are designed to harmonize expectations, support transparency, and facilitate comparisons across products and activities, while complementing other tools like certifications and impact assessments.

Criticism and challenges include the potential for high implementation costs, the risk of uneven ambition levels, and the need for regular updates as technology and science evolve. Effective norms require credible governance, verification, and alignment across sectors and borders to maintain trust and avoid greenwashing.