ISCC EU Certification
ISCC EU certification verifies compliance with the EU’s legal requirements for sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions savings criteria for sustainable fuels, as well as the production of electricity, heating and cooling from biomass. These requirements are set out in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and apply to all EU Member States.
In many instances, the ISCC EU certification system goes beyond the legal requirements of the RED II as it covers additional ecological and social requirements.
Benefits of ISCC EU Certification
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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. The ISCC sustainability requirements for farms and plantations are laid down in the form of six principles covering environmental, social and economic sustainability aspects. First and foremost, deforestation and forest degradation after January 2008 is not allowed according to the ISCC EU standard.
Forest Biomass
The ISCC EU certification approach covers forest biomass produced from forestry, including solid biomass such as trunks and bark, and non-wood forest products. The ISCC Sustainability Principles apply to forest biomass, ensuring that it is produced in a sustainable way according to ISCC standards.
Waste and Residues
This category includes waste and residue feedstocks which are eligible to be certified under the ISCC EU waste and residue certification process.
Economic operators can certify waste, defined as any substance or object that the holder discards, intends to discard, or is required to discard. A residue, on the other hand, refers to a substance that is not the end product of a production process and the process itself has not been deliberately modified to produce it.
Renewable Electricity
Fuels or products whose energy content comes from renewable sources other than biomass can qualify for ISCC EU RFNBO certification. For example, this includes hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by solar energy.
Fuels Eligible for ISCC EU Certification
An ISCC EU certification is suitable for sustainable fuels designated for a variety of markets, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Queensland (Australia). Please find all recognitions here.
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 II
- 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
- All voluntary and national schemes that are formally recognised by the European Commission in the framework of the RED II. Please find more information here.
Further Information
References
