Content:

1. ISCC EU ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

2. ISCC CORSIA ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

3. Updated Reporting Template for Licensees ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

4. Updated Training Rotation Period for ISCC Auditors ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

5. New APS Version 5.0 and APS Webinar

The System Update is mandatory for all ISCC System Users,
ISCC Auditors and cooperating Certification Bodies.

1. ISCC EU ­

1.1 Implementation of the 4-Eyes Principle for Mass Balance

As of 1 October 2024, Certification Bodies must apply the 4-eyes principle for mass balance audits under ISCC EU. Herewith, we would like to clarify the application and responsibilities of this additional check, which aims to further mitigate the risk of non-conformities in mass balance calculations.
 
The 4-eyes principle requires the Certification Body to assign at least one person to review all relevant information and results from the evaluation. The review shall be carried out by someone who has not been involved in the evaluation process, in accordance with ISO 17065, 7.5.1.

Certification Bodies shall apply the following requirements:

• The mass balance verification must be done during the technical review by at least one further reviewer who was not part of the audit team and holds a valid ISCC Basic Training Attestation.
• The Certification Body must submit the name of the reviewer responsible for the mass balance verification when providing the audit and certification information.
• The reviewer must check the mass balances against the requirements defined in Chapter 4.4.6 of the ISCC EU 203 System Document “Traceability and Chain of Custody” and based on the mass balance documents that were submitted by the System User prior to the audit (see ISCC EU 203 System Document, Chapter 4.4.1). 
• The reviewer can always request supporting documents from the auditor. The verification must involve an actual review of the mass balance information based on the activities of the System User. Simply confirming the availability of documents and information is not sufficient.

The 4-eyes principle for mass balance is applicable to all scopes and materials for which this chain of custody option is chosen.

1.2 Revised ISCC Guidance Documents 

ISCC Guidance Document for the Certification of Co-processing

The ISCC Guidance Document for the Certification of Co-processing has been revised. It now includes more detailed instructions on co-processing certification. The guidance covers methods for determining biogenic content, the calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (including the virtual split of the co-processing plant), and examples of co-processing set-ups. It is currently under review by the European Commission.

ISCC Guidance Document – Waste and Residues from Palm Oil Mills

The ISCC Guidance Document – Waste and Residues from Palm Oil Mills has been revised and now offers more detailed guidance on local material definitions and the factors influencing expected yields.

Public Consultation

We invite System Users, Certification Bodies and other interested stakeholders to provide feedback on the revised guidance documents:

• The ISCC Guidance Document for the Certification of Co-processing (V2.0) is open to public consultation until 8 March 2025.
• The ISCC Guidance Document – Waste and Residues from Palm Oil Mills (V3.2) is open to public consultation until 5 April 2025.

Interested parties can download the document and submit their feedback on the ISCC website.

1.3 List of Material Eligible for ISCC EU Certification (“ISCC EU Material List”) 

The ISCC EU material list has been updated. The newly added and revised materials are marked in bold.

2. ISCC CORSIA 

2.1 Keeping Data Updated in the ISCC HUB 

In view of the yearly ICAO Reporting, we kindly remind ISCC CORSIA System Users to keep the contact data (e.g. email addresses) and related information in the ISCC HUB up to date.
 
If there have been, or will be, any changes to contact details, please update them directly in the ISCC HUB. This will ensure a smooth process when we contact you for the ICAO Reporting. Please note that compliance with reporting obligations remains a prerequisite for re-certification under ISCC CORSIA.
 
We will reach out to ISCC CORSIA System Users once the reporting template is available.

3. Updated Reporting Template for Licensees

The annual reporting plays a crucial role in ensuring the transparency and accountability of the ISCC Licensing Scheme. We would like to inform you that the reporting template has been updated to strengthen traceability, transparency, and usability for licensees.

Key features of the updated template:

• Flexibility: Depending on the business requirements, licensees can report by product name or packaging component and its size or specification.
• Clear structure: The template follows a consistent structure across all sections, making it easier to complete.
• Reporting guidelines: A comprehensive manual is available to guide licensees through the reporting process. It provides detailed instructions on how to fill in the template

To facilitate a smooth transition, both the previous and updated reporting templates can be used for the reporting year 2024 (submission deadline: 31 March 2025). From the reporting year 2025 onward, the updated reporting template will be mandatory for all submissions.

The updated reporting templates are available on on the ISCC webpage under 6. Reporting. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the new format, please contact license@iscc-system.org.

4. Updated Training Rotation Period for ISCC Auditors

As communicated to our cooperating Certification Bodies in December 2024, we have shortened the training rotation period for ISCC Auditors from five years to three years. Please note that the new policy will only affect qualifications issued after 1 January 2025.
 
Importantly, ISCC Auditors who have previously completed an ISCC EU Training (former ISCC Basic Training), will only need a refresher training. This measure aims to maintain up-to-date knowledge while minimising redundancy. Additionally, the ISCC Academy introduces new training formats and frameworks to enhance learning experiences and ensure comprehensive auditor preparation.
 
Qualifications obtained before 1 January 2025 will remain valid for five years. This ensures a smooth transition and avoids any immediate impact on those who have already completed their training.

5. New APS Version 5.0 and APS Webinar

The following section is only relevant for ISCC Auditors and Certification Bodies.

New APS Version 5.0

Aligned with an update of the audit procedures, we will release a new version of the Audit Procedure System (APS v5.0) on 24 February 2025. APS is a digital tool that Certification Bodies and ISCC Auditors use to facilitate and simplify audit procedures. The new APS version introduces an adjusted questionnaire to make it more concise, incorporates ISCC CORSIA, and includes a revision and improvement of features.

The new APS v5.0 will become mandatory on 17 March 2025. Prior to this date, voluntary adoption is highly encouraged to ensure alignment with the updated requirements. Please note that any ongoing audits initiated under the previous APS v4.6.0 after 17 March must be recreated using the latest version.

For inquiries regarding the new APS update, please contact the APS Helpdesk at aps@iscc-system.org.

ISCC Webinar – APS 5.0

To support the release of APS 5.0, we will offer a free webinar covering the latest updates to the programme, including:

• ISCC CORSIA integration
• Best practices for improving application efficiency
• Skills development in data adjustments and report verification
• How to apply APS for consistent and high-quality audit data

All ISCC Auditors, both new and experienced, are encouraged to join to refine their skills and stay updated with ISCC certification requirements.