Updates from Work Package 5 (WP5): Stakeholder engagement activities are off to a promising start in WP5 (see HyPEF’s Workplan) with the recent establishment of HyPEF’s Advisory Working Group bound to play a crucial role in supporting and validating the project’s methodological research. As a cornerstone of the HyPEF project, WP5 is devoted to stakeholder involvement, PEFCRs’ review, and policy recommendations looking to integrate stakeholder engagement with policy development in the hydrogen economy.
The primary objective of WP5 is to establish a robust framework for stakeholder involvement, which includes the set up of an Advisory Working Group (AWG) and an Online Stakeholder Platform. These initiatives are essential for reviewing the Fuel Cells Hydrogen Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (FCH-PEFCRs) developed in WP2 and WP3, and applied in WP4. This process enables the formulation of effective policy recommendations that will influence both short-term implementation and medium-term regulatory strategies.
Welcome to HyPEF! We will deliver and test the FIRST EVER Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) for fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH) products.
Advisory Working Group (AWG)
A core component of WP5 is in place with the formation of HyPEF’s AWG. Members include notable representatives from key EU organisations and actors such as the Joint Research Centre, Hydrogen Europe, Hynamics, and the Italian Hydrogen Association. The AWG will play a crucial role in guiding the development and review of FCH-PEFCRs, ensuring that the insights and expertise of diverse stakeholders are incorporated.
Next Steps
Stakeholder Platform
The Stakeholder Platform will be designed to streamline communication and promote collaboration among stakeholders. This platform will manage feedback collection, event planning, news dissemination, and other exchanges between stakeholders and project partners. Scheduled to be available on the project website by the end of 2024, the Stakeholder Platform will serve as a central hub for all stakeholder interactions.
FCH-PEFCRs Review Process
An external independent review panel, adhering to the EC Recommendation (2021) scoring criteria, will evaluate the FCH-PEFCRs according to the requirements provided in the recommendation. This panel will review the FCH-PEFCRs at various stages of their development, ensuring they meet the required standards and effectively incorporate stakeholder feedback.
Policy Recommendations
The ultimate goal of WP5 is to synthesize lessons learned throughout the project to develop policy recommendations. These recommendations will focus on facilitating the short-term implementation of FCH-PEFCRs and exploring their interplay with regulatory, codes, and standards (RCS) strategies for medium-term policy implications. By integrating stakeholder insights and rigorous review processes, these recommendations aim to shape both immediate and medium-term strategies for the hydrogen economy.
