ISCC EU
The ISCC EU certification scheme verifies compliance with the European Union’s legal requirements for sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions savings criteria for renewable fuels, as well as the production of electricity, heating and cooling from biomass. These requirements are set out in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and apply to all EU Member States. ISCC EU also covers additional ecological and social requirements that go beyond the legal requirements of RED III.
Benefits of ISCC EU
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Alternative Feedstocks
The basis of every ISCC EU certification is the use of alternative feedstocks. These can be waste and residues, sustainably grown agricultural feedstocks, renewable electricity and sustainable forest biomass. Materials derived from alternative feedstocks can be classified into the four categories described below.
Agricultural Biomass
Sustainably grown agricultural feedstocks are the basis for ISCC EU-certified biomass. Our sustainability requirements for farms and plantations are laid out as six principles that cover environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Forest Biomass
The ISCC EU approach covers forest biomass produced from forestry, including solid biomass such as trunks and bark, and non-wood forest products. Our Sustainability Principles apply to forest biomass, ensuring that it is produced sustainably according to ISCC standards.
Waste and Residues
Under ISCC EU, waste is defined as any substance or object that the holder discards, intends to discard, or is required to discard. Residues, on the other hand, are unused and unintentionally produced byproducts of the production process.
Renewable Energy
Fuels or products whose energy comes from renewable sources other than biomass can qualify for ISCC EU Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO). For example, this includes hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by solar energy.
Fuels Eligible for ISCC EU Certification
Under ISCC EU, renewable fuels can be certified in various markets, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Queensland (Australia).
Biofuels, Bioliquids and Biomass Fuels
Biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels can become ISCC EU certified.
- Biofuels are liquid fuels derived from biomass, specifically for transportation.
- Bioliquids are liquid fuels produced from biomass for energy purposes other than transport, such as electricity, heating, and cooling.
- Biomass fuels are gaseous and solid fuels produced from biomass.
RFNBOs and RCFs
The ISCC EU certification approach covers Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), for example renewable hydrogen, and Recycled Carbon Fuels (RCFs).
Markets
Recognitions
- Recognised by the European Commission to demonstrate compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emission saving criteria of the RED III
- Recognised by the United Kingdom under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
- Recognised under the Liquid Fuel Supply Regulation of Queensland, Australia.
Acceptance of Other Schemes
- Voluntary and national schemes: All schemes recognised by the European Commission under RED III, including those that have passed the Commission’s preliminary compliance assessment.
- Governmental approaches: ISCC may recognise equivalent government systems operated by public authorities that meet ISCC waste and residue criteria. Accepted approaches include the Danish National Waste Register, German Waste Monitoring System (ASYS), and Dutch Manure System.
Report to the European Commission for the Calendar Year
Annual activity report to the European Commission, including the results of monitoring activities on Certification Bodies (CBs) and System Users in the context of the ISCC Integrity Programme (pursuant to Art. 30(5) of RED III and Annex III, Implementing Regulation 2022/996), and the aggregated lists of non-conformities detected by CBs at audits pursuant to Art. 6(b), Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996.
Further Information
References
