Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
We herewith inform you about updates and clarifications in the ISCC System. Please share this information with all relevant members of staff.
1. ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS: Updated Audit Procedures / SAR and New APS Version (APS v4.6.0)
2. ISCC EU Material List
3. ISCC EU: Information Letter from Nabisy Database
1. ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS: Updated Audit Procedures / SAR and New APS Version (APS v4.6.0)
1.1 Updated Audit Procedures
ISCC has released an update of the ISCC EU and PLUS audit procedures (v5.3 for Chain of Custody / Point of Origin and v5.4 for Farms and Plantations) on the ISCC website. The update aligns with the recent revisions made to the ISCC EU System Documents (see ISCC System Update from 4 January). Notably, the update includes the content of the ISCC EU gap audit procedures and an adaptation of the questionnaire for ISCC PLUS Final Product Refinement (FPR) group certification audits. Any new additions and adjustments are marked as such.
Please note that some requirements differ between ISCC PLUS and ISCC EU or may only be specific to one scheme only. The audit procedures clearly indicate the scheme to which a requirement applies. Unless specified otherwise, requirements apply to both schemes.
System Users can use the audit procedures to conduct their internal audits and assessments, for internal training courses or audit preparation purposes. Using the audit procedures for such purposes is highly recommended.
1.2 Updated Summary Audit Report (SAR)
The template of the Summary Audit Report (SAR) has been adjusted to align with the updated audit procedures and the requirements outlined in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996 concerning rules to verify sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria and low ILUC risk criteria. The updated template will become mandatory for all audits conducted after 25 March 2024.
1.2 New APS Version 4.6.0
The following section is only relevant for auditors and certification bodies.
Aligned with the update of the audit procedures, we are pleased to inform you that we will release a new version of the Audit Procedure System (APS v4.6.0) on 4 March 2024. APS is a digital tool that certification bodies and auditors use to facilitate and simplify audit procedures. The new APS version introduces new file export features for the ISCC Hub, along with a revision of the Summary Audit Report (SAR) and resolves several application issues.
Effective 25 March 2024, the use of the new APS v4.6.0 will become mandatory. Prior to this date, voluntary adoption is highly encouraged to ensure alignment with the updated ISCC EU System Documents. Auditors who choose to continue using the previous APS v.4.5.0 until 24 March 2024 for ISCC EU audits, must use the gap audit procedures to comply with the updated ISCC EU System Documents (see ISCC System Update from 4 January). Please note that any ongoing audits initiated under the previous version APS v4.5.0 should be completed using the same version.
For inquiries regarding the new APS update, please contact the APS Helpdesk at aps(at)iscc-system.org.
2. ISCC EU Material List
The ISCC EU material list has been updated. The newly added and revised materials are marked in bold. The new decision tree as published in the updated version of the System Document 202-5 has been included in the ISCC EU material list.
Clarification on molasses under ISCC
Molasses is listed under the second table (intermediate and final products) of the ISCC EU list of materials. It is a (co-)product derived from the production process of sugar beet or sugar cane refining. Consequently, Molasses cannot be certified as a waste or residue from the production process. Therefore, it is not allowed to issue a self-declaration for molasses.
The current version of the ISCC EU material list (as of 29 February 2024) is available here on the ISCC website.
3. ISCC EU: Information Letter from Nabisy Database
We herewith inform you about the 16th Nabisy information letter dated 22 February 2024 from the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). The letter contains information for users of the Nabisy database on the calculation of greenhouse gas values in case of co-digestion.
The letter is available on the website of the BLE in English and German. Please share this information with all relevant members of staff within your organisation.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ISCC.
Your ISCC Team