Cosmos Sustainability Label
Anticipating the future of sustainable space activities
Space has become a strategic pillar for autonomy, industrial development, and innovation in Europe. As space activities expand, the European regulatory framework is evolving to better integrate sustainability, environmental responsibility, and long-term governance.
The Cosmos Sustainability label offers space sector actors a structured, independent and operational framework to assess, document and strengthen their sustainability practices, while anticipating future European space regulations.
This label is not a mere statement of intent. It is based on documented practices, measurable indicators and verifiable data, covering environmental impact, governance choices and industrial practices.
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Starting with principles and moving towards operational evaluation
The Cosmos Sustainability Label focuses on what companies are actually doing today, not on their future commitments.
The evaluation:
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evaluates existing practices throughout the spatial value chain,
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identifies areas for continuous improvement,
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provides a clear and objective positioning aligned with European regulatory expectations.
It is designed as a decision-making and credibility tool for companies that collaborate with institutions, investors, and public authorities.
How does the Cosmos sustainability label work?
The label is awarded according to a structured, transparent and independent process, guaranteeing robustness, credibility and fairness.
Step 1 – Data preparation and structuring
Companies can be helped by an independent consulting firm* to:
evaluate their internal practices,
structuring their data related to sustainable development,
carry out a life cycle assessment (LCA) and prepare a sustainability/ESG report when these have not yet been carried out.
Step 2 – Independent Evaluation
Cosmos for Humanity conducts a thorough review of submitted documents, verifying:
data consistency,
the methodologies,
compliance with the Cosmos Sustainability Label framework
Step 3 – Label Awarding and Rating
Based on objective and predefined criteria, Cosmos for Humanity awards the Cosmos Sustainability Label and provides an associated rating.
This rating reflects the level of performance and maturity of the practices assessed in relation to the label's framework. It allows for different levels of commitment to be distinguished and for areas for improvement to be identified, within a framework of continuous improvement.
*Companies applying for certification must be supported by an independent consulting provider who has completed training on the Cosmos Sustainability Label framework provided by Cosmos for Humanity, at the latest in the year preceding or following the submission of the application.
The sole purpose of this training is to ensure a consistent understanding of the framework, to strengthen the methodological quality of submitted applications, and to improve their comparability. It is in no way a condition of eligibility for the label, nor does it influence the evaluation or the final decision.
In accordance with European principles applicable to voluntary certification schemes, the advisory, training, and labeling functions are strictly separate. Cosmos for Humanity does not intervene at any stage in the preparation of applications and maintains complete independence in the label analysis, thus guaranteeing the credibility, transparency, and integrity of the Cosmos Sustainability Label.
A label in line with European regulatory realities
Developed and managed in Europe, the Cosmos Sustainability label is designed to evolve in parallel with European regulatory frameworks.
This label was co-created with the French Space Agency (CNES), which ensures it a solid institutional base from its early stages of development.
Cosmos for Humanity actively contributes to the European Commission's workshops and consultations related to future European space legislation, thereby ensuring:
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alignment with political developments,
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consistency with institutional expectations,
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the relevance for public and private spatial actors.
The Cosmos Sustainability label is currently one of the voluntary certification approaches being studied at the European level.
The pillars of the Cosmos Sustainability Label
Compliance with standards
sustainable development
The label is designed in accordance with the main international standards (SDGs, ESG frameworks), adding a specific spatial dimension.
It is based on:
transparency,
fairness,
long-term governance.
Transparency and
data reliability
Thanks to IXO's blockchain-based traceability, environmental and governance data are:
verifiable,
unalterable,
accessible to the relevant stakeholders.
This strengthens trust between institutions, investors and industrial partners.
A lever for
a circular spatial economy
The label incorporates the concept of spatial footprint (OSF), which assesses impacts such as:
orbital pollution,
the broadcasts,
the use of resources,
spatial congestion,
while promoting technological and industrial choices that contribute to a more circular and responsible space economy.
Why do companies choose the Cosmos Sustainability Label?
Companies choose the Cosmos Sustainability label in order to:
to anticipate future European regulatory requirements,
strengthen their credibility with institutional partners and investors,
to obtain an objective assessment of their environmental and governance practices,
to value their current efforts while identifying clear areas for improvement.
Independence and governance
The evaluation and verification process is subject to a fee.
This model:
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guarantees independence and objectivity,
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ensures the robustness of the assessment,
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avoids conflicts of interest.
All content related to the development and framework of the Cosmos sustainability label is the exclusive property of Cosmos for Humanity and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
*Le Cosmos Sustainability Label est un cadre d'évaluation indépendant et spécifique à un secteur.
Sa représentation visuelle et son système de notation sont propres au secteur spatial et ne sont liés à aucun programme public ou de labellisation des consommateurs existant.
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Would you like to know more ?
For more information on the label and its evaluation process, contact our team in charge of CSR strategy & sustainable space transition.