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| algae:purpose_scope_sources [2026-09-13 23:07] – [What This Wiki Does Not Cover] robert | algae:purpose_scope_sources [2026-10-04 00:44] (current) – [Organisms] robert |
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| === Organisms === | === Organisms === |
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| The term __"algae"__ is used throughout this wiki in its broadest practical / technical sense, consistent with the definition adopted in European standard EN 17399:2020 and used by CEN/TC 454 and consistent with the position paper [[https://www.what-are-algae.com/|What are algae]] by [[https://www.eaba-association.org/en|EABA]]. It covers: | The term __"algae"__ is used throughout this wiki in its broadest practical / technical sense, consistent with the definition adopted in European standard EN 17399:2024. This is consistent with the position paper [[https://www.what-are-algae.com/|What are algae]] by [[https://www.eaba-association.eu/|EABA]]. It covers: |
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| * __Macroalgae__ (seaweeds): multicellular marine and freshwater algae including brown algae (//Phaeophyta//, e.g. kelp, //Fucus//, //Ascophyllum//), red algae (//Rhodophyta//, e.g. //Porphyra//, //Gracilaria//, //Gelidium//) and green algae (//Chlorophyta//, e.g. //Ulva//, //Caulerpa//). | * __Macroalgae__ (seaweeds): multicellular marine and freshwater algae including brown algae (//Phaeophyta//, e.g. kelp, //Fucus//, //Ascophyllum//), red algae (//Rhodophyta//, e.g. //Porphyra//, //Gracilaria//, //Gelidium//) and green algae (//Chlorophyta//, e.g. //Ulva//, //Caulerpa//). |
| * __Microalgae__: microscopic single-celled or colonial eukaryotic algae, including diatoms (//Bacillariophyta//), green microalgae (e.g. //Chlorella//, //Haematococcus//, //Dunaliella//, //Scenedesmus//), golden algae (//Chrysophyta//) and others. | * __Microalgae__: microscopic single-celled or colonial eukaryotic algae, including diatoms (//Bacillariophyta//), green microalgae (e.g. //Chlorella//, //Haematococcus//, //Dunaliella//, //Scenedesmus//), golden algae (//Chrysophyta//) and others. |
| * __Cyanobacteria__ (blue-green algae): prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms functionally grouped with algae in industry, regulation and standardisation. Commercially important species include //Limnospira// (Arthrospira or Spirulina), //Aphanizomenon// and //Synechococcus//. Cyanobacteria are bacteria from a microbiological (taxonomic) standpoint, but in most EU regulatory contexts they are treated alongside microalgae. | * __Cyanobacteria__ (blue-green algae): prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms functionally grouped with algae in industry, regulation and standardisation. Commercially important species include //Limnospira// (Arthrospira or Spirulina), //Aphanizomenon//, //Nostoc//, //Anabaena//. Cyanobacteria are bacteria from a microbiological (taxonomic) standpoint, but in most EU regulatory contexts they are treated alongside microalgae. |
| * __//Labyrinthulomycetes//__ (//thraustochytrids//): a group of heterotrophic marine protists (e.g. //Schizochytrium//, //Thraustochytrid// sp.) that are classified with algae in the CEN standard and commercially relevant as sources of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA). They are grown heterotrophically like yeasts, without light. | * __//Labyrinthulomycetes//__ (//thraustochytrids//): a group of heterotrophic marine protists (e.g. //Schizochytrium//, //Thraustochytrium// sp., //Aurantiochytrium// sp.) that are classified with algae in the CEN standard and commercially relevant as sources of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA). They are grown heterotrophically like yeasts, without light. |
| * __Borderline organisms__ commonly grouped commercially with algae, where legislation treats or has treated them similarly. | * __Borderline organisms__ commonly grouped commercially with algae, where legislation treats or has treated them similarly. |
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| * __Animal feed__: algal meal, feed additives, aquafeed ingredients. | * __Animal feed__: algal meal, feed additives, aquafeed ingredients. |
| * __Cosmetics and personal care products__: active ingredients, thickeners, humectants, colourants derived from algae. | * __Cosmetics and personal care products__: active ingredients, thickeners, humectants, colourants derived from algae. |
| | * __Pharmaceuticals and medical devices__: wound dressing matrices, tablet binders, controlled-release excipients, gel-forming excipients in oral drug formulations |
| * __Agricultural applications__: biostimulants, biofertilisers, soil improvers and related products. | * __Agricultural applications__: biostimulants, biofertilisers, soil improvers and related products. |
| * __Bioremediation and wastewater treatment__: use of algae to treat municipal or industrial effluents, remove nutrients or sequester pollutants. | * __Bioremediation and wastewater treatment__: use of algae to treat municipal or industrial effluents, remove nutrients or sequester pollutants. |
| * __Bioplastics and biopolymers__: algae-derived packaging, fibres, biocolloids (alginate, carrageenan, agar-agar). | * __Bioplastics and biopolymers__: algae-derived packaging, fibres, biocolloids (alginate, carrageenan, agar-agar). |
| * __Pigments, proteins, lipids and other high-value fractions__: carotenoids (astaxanthin, β-carotene, fucoxanthin, lutein), phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin), polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA, DHA), polysaccharides and others. | * __Pigments, proteins, lipids and other high-value fractions__: carotenoids (astaxanthin, β-carotene, fucoxanthin, lutein), phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin), polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA, DHA), polysaccharides and others. |
| * __Detergents and household products__, __textiles__ and other emerging industrial applications. | * __Other industrial applications__, textiles, detergents, biocides and other emerging applications. |
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| Processing methods are also within scope where legislation depends on the form or process: intact cells versus disrupted cells, fresh versus dried biomass, extracts produced by specific solvents, or fractions produced by biorefinery processes. | Processing methods are also within scope where legislation depends on the form or process: intact cells versus disrupted cells, fresh versus dried biomass, extracts produced by specific solvents, or fractions produced by biorefinery processes. |
| __Where article numbers are cited__, the reference is to the consolidated version unless otherwise stated. Article numbering does not change between the original and the consolidated text. | __Where article numbers are cited__, the reference is to the consolidated version unless otherwise stated. Article numbering does not change between the original and the consolidated text. |
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| __Taxonimic names__ are written in //italics// in most of the scientific literature. We also try to stick to this convention on these wiki pages; it is sometimes used in the regulatory texts and sometimes not. | __Taxonomic names__ are written in //italics// in most of the scientific literature. We also try to follow this convention on these wiki pages; it is sometimes used in regulatory texts and sometimes not. |
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| === DG MARE — Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries === | === DG MARE — Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries === |
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| [[https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/|DG MARE]] is responsible for the Common Fisheries Policy and aquaculture policy, including the regulatory framework for seaweed aquaculture and wild harvesting. It has published several key background documents on the EU algae sector, including the Commission Staff Working Document SWD(2022) 249 final "Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector". | [[https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/|DG MARE]] is responsible for the Common Fisheries Policy and aquaculture policy, including the regulatory framework for seaweed aquaculture and wild harvesting. It has published several key background documents on the EU algae sector, including the |
| | [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022DC0592|Commission Staff Working Document COM(2022) 592 final "Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector"]], |
| | [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022SC0361SWD/2022/361%20final|SWD/2022/361 addendum]] and [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52023IP0205|European Parliament resolution of 11 May 2023 towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector (2023/2547(RSP))]]. |
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| === CEN/TC 454 — Algae and Algae Products === | === CEN/TC 454 — Algae and Algae Products === |
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| The [[https://www.cencenelec.eu/|European Committee for Standardisation (CEN)]] Technical Committee CEN/TC 454 "Algae and algae products" develops harmonised European standards for algae and algal products. Published outputs include terminology (EN 17399:2020), food and feed applications guidance (CEN/TR 17559:2021), cosmetics specifications (CEN/TR 17611:2021) and pharmaceutical specifications (CEN/TR 17612:2021). These standards are voluntary but widely used as a quality and compliance benchmark. | The [[https://www.cencenelec.eu/|European Committee for Standardisation (CEN)]] Technical Committee CEN/TC 454 "Algae and algae products" develops harmonised European standards for algae and algal products. Published outputs include Vocabulary (EN 17399:2024), food and feed applications guidance (CEN/TR 17559:2022), cosmetics specifications (CEN/TR 17611:2021) and pharmaceutical specifications (CEN/TR 17612:2021). These standards are voluntary but widely used as a quality and compliance benchmark. |
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| === Key Secondary Literature === | |
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| The following published reports and studies are referenced extensively across multiple chapters of this wiki and are recommended as background reading: | |
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| * Mabilia, V. (2019). //Production of algae in the EU — legal and policy framework//. DG MARE, European Commission. [Presentation, 27 February 2019] | |
| * European Commission (2022). //Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector//. Commission Staff Working Document SWD(2022) 249 final. [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2022:249:FIN|EURlex]] | |
| * Monard, C. (2018). //Analysis of the definition of algae in EU legislation//. Study for DG Energy, European Commission. | |
| * Crespo, G. et al. (2022). //Regulatory landscape for microalgae biomass valorisation across market applications//. Multi-Str3am project Deliverable D4.1. | |
| * Araújo, R. et al. (2021). Current status of the algae production industry in Europe. //Frontiers in Marine Science//, 7, 626389. [[https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.626389|DOI]] | |
| * Su, M. et al. (2023). Applications of microalgae in foods, pharma and feeds and their use as fertilizers and biostimulants: legislation and regulatory aspects for consideration. //Foods//, 12(20), 3878. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203878|DOI]] | |
| * JRC (2014). //Microalgae-based products for the food and feed sector: an outlook for Europe//. JRC Scientific and Policy Reports, LFNA26255ENN. European Commission Joint Research Centre. | |
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| ==== A Note on Currency ==== | ==== A Note on Currency ==== |
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| //See also: [[algae:eu_legislation_general|General on EU Legislation]] | [[algae:reading_guides|Reading Guides]] | [[algae:specialised_sources|Specialised Sources — Bibliography]]// | //See also: [[algae:eu_legislation_general|General on EU Legislation]] | [[algae:reading_guides|Reading Guides]] | [[algae:bibliography|Bibliography]]// |
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| //Last reviewed: June 2026.// | //Last reviewed: June 2026.// |
