Green NCAP & CATARC strengthen cooperation in new Working Group & LCA Mutual Recognition Guidelines

LEUVEN, BELGIUM – Today, Green NCAP announces the formation of the Sino– European Automotive Carbon Footprint Mutual Recognition Working Group. This initiative is a collaboration between Green NCAP, China Automotive Carbon Digital Technology Center Co., Ltd. (part of CATARC), and other industry stakeholders. The group‘s main aim is to harmonise and develop a common set of understanding and rules for performing life cycle assessment calculations, that will motivate and alleviate manufacturers’ sustainability reporting efforts, using an innovative “single calculation, multiple recognition“ mechanism.

This new Working Group has drafted Sino-European Guidelines for Automotive Carbon Footprint Accounting, Verification, and Mutual Recognition to encourage alignment of carbon footprint management systems between China and Europe. Based on this shared understanding between the two regions, the Guidelines establish a comprehensive framework for carbon footprint data collection across the entire automotive value chain.

It is planned for the official version of the Guidelines to be released during the CATC International Technical Expert Committee (CATC-ITEC) Conference, taking place in Spain from 16^th to 17^th June 2025. In parallel, the first batch of mutually recognised vehicle results will be published on the official websites of Green NCAP as well as the China Automobile Industry Chain Carbon Publicity Platform (CPP). This milestone signifies a shift in the mutual recognition process from “mechanism building” to “real-vehicle validation.”

Looking ahead, the Working Group will continue to expand its scope. China and Europe will jointly develop a vehicle sampling research plan to further contribute to the global carbon neutrality agenda through pragmatic “Sino-European solutions.”

Given the growing importance and presence of Chinese brands on the European vehicle market, there is a real wish to understand the environmental impact of these cars, particularly in the production phase. Our initiative is built on established standards and best practice in data collection, verification, and calculation, providing a strong level of trust in the results and input behind them. Green NCAP, as an independent organisation, is determined to contribute fair and transparent assessments of the vehicles investigated, together with partner CATARC.

Aleksandar Damyanov, Technical Manager Green NCAP