Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
We herewith inform you about important updates of the ISCC System. Please share this information with all relevant members of staff.
1. Clarifications Regarding the Adjusted GHG Methodology
1.1 Implementation from 01 September 2017
According to a communication of the EC to all voluntary schemes recognised by the EC since August 2016, the adjusted GHG emission calculation methodology has to be fully implemented by all System Users by 01 September 2017. This was already communicated by ISCC in a System Update dated 11 May 2017. For detailed information on the new methodology please see ISCC document 205 “Greenhouse Gas Emissions” and the “Note on the conducting and verifying actual calculations of GHG emission savings” published by the European Commission (EC).
1.2 Downstream Combustion Emissions of Fossil Methanol
As communicated in our System Update as of 11 May 2017, the EC provided clarification to all voluntary schemes regarding the application of the emission factor for fossil methanol for the GHG emission saving calculation for biodiesel.
The EC has confirmed that the emission factor for fossil methanol from the list of standard values for emission factors (“standard calculation values v.1.0″) published by the EC includes the combustion emissions of the fossil methanol and that this concept must be applied in all Member States and under all recognized voluntary schemes. This means that the combustion emissions of fossil methanol must be taken into account for the GHG calculation for the biodiesel production.
Please note that points 1.1 and 1.2 apply to all schemes whose recognition by the EC will have been extended by end of August 2017 (ISCC EU, RSB EU RED, 2BSvs, Bonsucro EU, RedCert EU, Ensus, Red Tractor, NTA 8080).
1.3 Application of NUTS2 Values
According to the EC’s GHG Note NUTS2 values may be applied as an alternative to actual values provided. The NUTS2 values are available in the unit gCO2eq/dry-kg of feedstock in the „Overview table on regional cultivation emissions (NUTS values)“ as published on the EC’s website. Only if data in the respective unit (gCO2eq/dry-kg of feedstock) is missing in this overview, NUTS2 values per MJ may be applied until the respective overview is updated by the EC. In case NUTS2 values per MJ are used, it must be ensured that the values are recalculated into the unit gCO2eq/dry-kg feedstock following a harmonized and verifiable approach. The recalculation must take into account conversion factors (source: table 1 of the GHG Note), allocation factors and the moisture content depending on the pathway (source: Biograce V.4d).
The relevant documents from the EC can be found on the transparency platform.
2. ISCC Audit Procedures and Audit Summary Report
As the adjusted GHG methodology must be implemented by 01 September 2017, ISCC will shortly provide updated audit procedures that will reflect the updated GHG requirements. For the updated audit procedures, we are also taking into account additional feedback we have been receiving from System Users and certification bodies, e.g. regarding formatting and wording issues.
The use of the new audit procedures in Word and via the APS (Audit Procedure System) tool shall become mandatory at the same date to avoid that different versions of the audit procedures (Word/PDF and APS) are being used.
This means that the implementation date for the mandatory application of the Summary Audit Report will also be postponed to 01 September 2017.
With the updated version of APS the Summary Audit Report can be generated automatically from the tool (no additional effort required).
3. Clarification: Covering Additional Material and Farmers under ISCC Certification
We herewith want to use the opportunity to point out options for certified System Users to easily cover additional sustainable materials and additional farms and plantations under their current ISCC certificate. These options are of particular interest for System Users in the harvesting season to increase their supply base and to open up new markets for sustainable products without additional effort.
Option 1: If a first gathering point (FGP) receives sustainable biomass, e.g. rapeseed, from a farmer who has signed the ISCC self-declaration, other crops received from this farmer, e.g. wheat or corn, may also be marketed and sold as sustainable under the ISCC certificate. The certification body (CB) can easily amend the annex of sustainable materials during the validity period of the FGP’s certificate if the respective crop is not covered yet.
Option 2: A FGP can include additional farms or plantations to its supply base during the validity period of the FGP’s certificate. Precondition for doing so is an ISCC self-declaration signed by the farmer and a contractual agreement between the FGP and the farmer. All farms and plantations added to the group of suppliers during the validity period of the certificate form the basis for the sample that will be audited during the next recertification audit.
Option 3: If a processing unit, e.g. an oil mill, is (only) certified to process ISCC compliant material, e.g. rapeseed, into crude oil under ISCC EU, co-products, e.g. the rapeseed meal, may also be sold as sustainable to other markets e.g. to the feed market under ISCC PLUS. The oil mill has to submit an adjusted mass balance calculation to the CB to demonstrate the separate handling of the different materials. The CB can then issue an ISCC PLUS certificate in addition to the ISCC EU certificate (with the same expiry date as the ISCC EU certificate).
For all three options an additional certification audit is usually not required by ISCC. It is recommended that System Users discuss the respective options with their CB.
4. New and Updated ISCC Documents Available on the ISCC Website
4.1 New self-declaration for waste and residues of non-biological origin
ISCC has developed a self-declaration for waste and residues of non-biological origin. This self-declaration is applicable e.g. for the certification of plastic waste under ISCC PLUS.
4.2 Update ISCC EU PoS template (“blue PoS”)
ISCC has made some minor adjustments to the formatting of the ISCC EU PoS template (version 3.1). Please be aware, that another update of the template will be published shortly which will also include the new methodology to forward information on actual GHG emissions.
4.3 Update ISCC EU List of Materials
“Mustard” was added on table 1 as a new raw material eligible for ISCC certification. Furthermore, the additional information on animal fat / tallow and on HVO was adjusted.
5. ISCC EU and PLUS Basic Trainings – Upcoming Dates
10 – 12 July 2017, Cologne, Germany
29 – 31 August 2017, Bali, Indonesia
14 – 16 November 2017, Shanghai, China
Click here for further information and registration.
Important note for certification bodies and auditors: The participation in the ISCC EU and PLUS Basic Training is a mandatory requirement for all auditors before they can conduct audits under ISCC.
Auditors that have last participated in an ISCC Basic Training before July 2016, have to again attend an ISCC Basic Training until January 2018 if they want to conduct ISCC Audits in 2018 and thereafter.