14 February 2025

ISCC continuously further develops its certification system through multiple integrity measures. 

Transparency is key when pursuing the establishment of more sustainable supply chains – supply chains in which more sustainable alternatives replace conventional feedstock, materials are traced as they move along the value chain, sustainability information is reliably forwarded, and social and economic sustainability factors are adhered to.  

Certifications help demonstrate conformity with and commitment to distinct sustainability criteria. ISCC is one of the leading certification schemes and closely collaborates with distinct third-party Certification Bodies (CBs) that certify whether a company meets the respective sustainability requirements of the system.  

Therefore, it is crucial to have a robust system and mechanisms in place that help certify whether system users and auditors act following the certification standards. These mechanisms help spot potential fraudulent practices and deduce the lessons, which serve as a basis for further developing the certification system and providing a feasible and credible solution. 

ISCC Integrity Programme 

ISCC has implemented an Integrity Programme. Managed by a dedicated in-house expert team, it focuses on furthering the system through lessons learned from internal monitoring, market analysis, whistleblower report investigations, and integrity assessments conducted by the Integrity team.  

Mrinalini Shinde, Integrity Manager at ISCC, explains: “At ISCC, the continued strengthening of our system is our foremost priority. The market requires a reliable and robust system. That is what the ISCC Integrity team is continuously and diligently working on.”  

For instance, ISCC holds regular feedback meetings and dialogues with certification bodies, European Union member states, other governmental authorities, and other voluntary schemes. These meetings serve as a platform to exchange practical feedback and experiences from the respective scheme’s application and audits, discuss best practices, identify potential risks to the system, and facilitate its improvements. 

Andreas Feige, Director at ISCC, describes the importance of stakeholder collaboration: “The multi-stakeholder dialogue is a decisive pillar of our work and the foundation of the company. Multiple stakeholders were involved in the development of ISCC and still play a central role. Today, they support us in meeting the high demands of our sustainability certification and its integrity.” 

On-site Audits 

Certified companies are audited once a year by CBs. ISCC also conducts integrity assessments randomly and addresses risks within the ISCC system. These integrity assessments seek to establish whether the certification audit by the CB has been conducted in line with the ISCC documents and whether the certified system user conforms to ISCC requirements. These audits are conducted by the Integrity Programme in addition to the already planned mandatory surveillance or annual recertification audits by the CBs and are a key lever in aiming for the high integrity of our certification scheme. 

Shinde adds, “Last year, when I accompanied one of our integrity assessors during an audit, I was grateful for their expertise and vigilance. Being on-site and witnessing the integrity assessments allows us to connect with both the certification bodies and system users, both crucial pillars of developing a reliable system. We take away a lot of learnings from these integrity assessments and consider these when adapting our systems.” 

In Practice 

Example of identified non-conformity and the subsequent adaptation of the system: 

• In 2021, the market raised concerns about unreasonably high quantities of palm oil mill effluent (POME) oil and possible suspicions of some companies declaring crude palm oil (CPO) as the higher-priced POME oil  

• POME oil is classified as waste and residues generated by palm oil mills and is considered an “advanced” raw material, according to RED II. Special incentives are attributed to these raw materials in the production of biofuel. 

• ISCC established a dedicated working group to address market concerns and implement countermeasures. Together with stakeholders participating in the POME oil working group, it was agreed that the auditing approach for palm oil mills must be strengthened to protect ISCC’s integrity and reputation and prevent non-conformities with its standards.  

Conclusion:  

• The ISCC system was therefore adapted to include more stringent measures as follows: 

• Since November 2022, all palm oil mills (POMs) generating and supplying wastes and residues as sustainable under ISCC must be audited on-site annually and individually certified. This also means that group certification at points of origin is no longer possible. 

• Moreover, the ISCC Guidance on Waste and Residues from Palm Oil Mills was published (2022), defining what can be classified as POME oil and what cannot.  

• Please note that this is a high-level overview of the measures taken. For more information, visit: https://www.iscc-system.org/updates/28-april-2023/  

Becoming Aware of Potential Non-Conformities  

Spotting and verifying potential non-conformities are indispensable, but how can these be recognised, prevented and translated into improvement measures? 

Besides the previously mentioned measures, ISCC introduced a Whistleblower Tool that allows everyone to report any non-conformities related to the ISCC system requirements and guidelines – anonymously if preferred. Furthermore, reports can be submitted in thirty languages, and whistleblowers also receive responses and further questions in the language of their choice to enhance greater transparency and communication with ISCC’s Integrity team.  

Shinde adds: “We take these reports very seriously. Our Integrity Team processes all incoming reports and investigates the case to determine whether the reported case actually involves non-conformities, including instances of potential fraud. If so, we take the respective steps, which can be a withdrawal or suspension of certificates.” 

Moving Forward 

The integrity of the ISCC system will continue to be a top priority. In a fast-paced market with unprecedented dynamics and regulatory changes, it is of the utmost importance to stay abreast of developments and contribute to system conformity. ISCC will further develop its systems by continuously monitoring audit quality, drawing conclusions from detected non-conformities, and maintaining close contact with all stakeholders. 

For further information on the ISCC Integrity Programme, the Whistleblower Tool, and withdrawn certificates, visit the following pages: 

ISCC Integrity Programme: https://www.iscc-system.org/governance/quality-and-integrity-management/  

ISCC Whistleblower Tool: https://www.iscc-system.org/governance/quality-and-integrity-management/iscc-whistleblower-system/  

Withdrawn certificates: https://www.iscc-system.org/certification/certificate-database/withdrawn-certificates/