The European Cork Confederation (CELIÈGE) held its annual meeting of the Board of Directors in person on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the headquarters of Foment del Treball Nacional, in Barcelona.
At the moment, the Presidency of the Institution is held by the Catalan Joan J Puig, who is also president of AECORK, one of the national associations integrated into the confederation.
Institutional issues and 2024 balance sheet
The session began with a review of the internal structure of CELIÈGE, highlighting the formal welcoming of the Italian structures as new full members. The management and financial balance sheet for 2024 was also presented, as well as a key point on possible merger processes between entities, in a bid for greater institutional efficiency and European representativeness.
Boosting communication and visibility
In the field of communication, the evolution of the program was monitored Cork.Connect, a key initiative led by Portugal that aims to bring the cork sector closer to the general public and professional prescribers at an international level. At the same time, the progress of the new institutional website of CELIÈGE was presented, which aims to become an informative and transparent reference for the entire European cork ecosystem.
Standardization and technical projects at European level
Technical aspects occupied a central part of the meeting, with updates on the drafting of the technical guide on cork within the EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines), as well as the application of the European PPWR waste regulation and the ongoing standardization processes at both CEN and ISO levels.
Active research plans and applications for LIFE programme projects were also presented, following the following lines of research: quantification and valorisation of the ecosystem services provided by cork forests; optimisation of cork stopper production according to sustainability criteria through the application of resource efficiency and eco-design principles; involvement of key stakeholders and raising awareness to promote transparency, sustainability and the adoption of circular economy practices throughout the sector.
Quality and sustainability: Systecode
Finally, the 2024 campaign of the Systecode certification system was reviewed and the work lines for the 2025 campaign were advanced, with the aim of continuing to guarantee the highest standards of quality and sustainability in the production of cork stoppers in Europe.
With this meeting, CELIÈGE consolidates its role as a strategic coordination space for the European cork sector and reinforces its commitment to innovation, quality and the defense of cork as a natural, recyclable and essential material for the wine industry and other applications.
English 
Catalan 
Spanish 
French