Standards Development

Scope

Standardization in the field of live-action film and audiovisual production to support the environmental transition of the sector.

The main objective is to develop a methodological framework defining and measuring ambitious criteria to encourage production companies to adopt a more sustainable mode of production considering the critical environmental issues facing our world.

The scope covers the following items, which might be combined: social responsibility, energy and mobility, responsible purchasing, food and waste management, digital sobriety and biodiversity.

Purpose

The public and private media industry reaches an audience of millions with their audiovisual productions. With this scope comes social responsibility for a sustain-able production of these contents. Audio-visual film and TV productions that are eco-friendly and protect resources are an essential contribution towards reducing CO2 consumption and at the same time a process of technological transformation comprising both technical and artistic changes. Indeed, the audiovisual sector (including streaming video distribution, cinema, advertising, television, archiving and screenings) emits around 1,7 million tonnes of carbon equivalent every year.

This entails a need how to reduce the associated impact and to adapt to the effects of climate change. Which is why, in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway and Sweden, are already well aware of the need to change practices in the field of live-action film and audiovisual production and are eager to support the industry in its environmental transition. As a result, several national and regional standards have been developed such as Criteria catalogue of ecological standards for Austrian cinema film productions ÖFI/ÖFI+ Ecological Standards for German Cinema, TV, and Online/VoD; AFNOR SPEC 2308 “Responsible Film, Audiovisual and Advertising Production”; Nordic Ecological Standard (NES). Although each country has been made aware of and had the opportunity to consult the documents issued by the others, and although some have based their requirements on others’ frameworks or adopted some of their recommendations, these standards are different and feature a variety of requirements.

With the increase in co-productions, i.e between production companies based in different countries, it is crucial, for the sake of efficiency, to harmonize practices and existing standards. It is all the more important given that some countries and film funds, wishing to promote a green transition, tie financial support for film production to meeting specific sustainability criteria. Establishing a common standard will not only help any production company in its environmental transition but will enable all stakeholders in the sector to agree on a set of measures that can be implemented and referenced by production companies worldwide, regardless of the country where they are working or of the type of funding they seek. This will save time and reduce costs for every party involved in this environmental transition.

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a key organization when it comes to developing and promoting standards in Europe. Standardization offers several benefits: it enables to create a common framework coordinated by an independent and impartial body; it supports an open and transparent process in which all 34 CEN member countries can take part. This process leverages collective expertise to enhance and build upon the best practices, guidelines, requirements or recommendations that have already been established in various countries. CEN Standardization is bound to ensure that all relevant stakeholders will be the primary contributors to the development of the standards’ content. Moreover, CEN standards are recognized worldwide, including at the international level, which will foster awareness and implementation of such a standard throughout the whole film and audiovisual community.