Recognising the strategic importance of space for the autonomy of the Union, and the wellbeing of its citizens, the European Commission has proposed a set of actions to ensure the full, safe and sustainable utilisation of space. Below you will find the most important strategic documents.
Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR)
Pursuing the EU Green Deal objectives and seeking to improve the environmental footprint of the EU Space activities, the Commission has rolled out a collaborative multistakeholder project for the development of Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for the space sector. The space PEFCR will standardise and help companies measure and evaluate their environmental impacts more transparently, promoting sustainability and innovation. It will ultimately promote the manufacturing and deployment of environmental and sustainable space activities and products.
Stakeholders, including industry experts and representatives, are engaged in this process of shaping the PEFCR rules and support the project’s outreach.
Space Strategy for Europe
Space technologies, data and services can support numerous EU policies and key political priorities, including the competitiveness of our economy, migration, climate change, the Digital Single Market and sustainable management of natural resources. Space is also of strategic importance for Europe. It reinforces Europe’s role as a stronger global player and is an asset for its security and defence.
In this spirit, the Commission published the Space Strategy for Europe in October 2016.
EU approach to Space Traffic Management
In light of an increasingly congested space, there is a compelling need to act in order to maintain space as a resource for future generations.
To this end, the EU approach to Space Traffic Management proposed by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP) aims at enhancing capabilities, norms and engagement while preserving EU interests in line with the respective competencies of the Union and its Member States. It calls for an EU contribution to this global challenge.
EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence
The 2023 EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence (EUSSSD) was conceived under a different geopolitical light. This Strategy built upon the foundation established in 2016 but focusing more specifically on bolstering Europe's autonomy in space-related security and Defence capabilities.
It emphasizes the need for a robust Space infrastructure resilient to emerging threats, such as cyber-attacks and Space debris. Among others, it prioritizes boosting secure governmental satellite communications or existing Earth observation capacities, and Space Situational Awareness to ensure EU autonomy in the domain of Space. Additionally, the document aims at enhancing cooperation with international partners while promoting the responsible and peaceful use of Space.
