9 September 2024
Understanding mass balance and correct product communication in its entirety requires a lot of effort, which can definitely be seen from the NYT explanations. Furthermore, ISCC welcomes the judgment of the press, nevertheless, there is the need to comment on a few points:
Overall, co-processing and the mass balance approach offer the opportunity to increase the proportion of alternative feedstock used and create a complimentary recycling loop. They are core building blocks to scale up the circular economy. Additional plastic waste can be recycled and can reach new markets. Even if there is room for improvement, for example in the proportion of non-conventional feedstock used in general, the mass balance approach provides the industry with the opportunity to implement recycling at existing assets to start a gradual shift towards the use of more alternative feedstock.
Regarding the NYT comments on the organisational structure of ISCC:
ISCC follows a multi-stakeholder approach and is governed by the ISCC Association. The Board of the Association is democratically elected and ISCC welcomes Association members and Board members from all industries and organisations. ISCC is committed to the diversity of the Board and the Association itself.
The statement on self-certification is not correct. ISCC follows an end-to-end certification approach. Certified companies are audited by independent, accredited certification bodies. These auditors must undergo training to be qualified to audit according to defined standards. In addition, system documents, which do not require official recognition by the European Commission, are published for public consultation so that all stakeholders – regardless of their industry or interest – have the opportunity to comment on future requirements for standards.
Furthermore, ISCC has working groups in place in which ideas are shared and discussed with interested stakeholders.
At this point, ISCC would like to emphasise that it is important to discuss the above information in the context of all prevailing discussions. Further questions can be addressed to media[at]iscc-system.org