ISCC EU is a certification system focused on sustainable development in the biofuels sector, compliant with the EU RED II directive. This certificate allows producers and suppliers of biofuels and bioliquids to introduce their products to the European Union market while meeting strict environmental and social requirements.
Our services include full support in preparing for certification, including supply chain analysis, identification of GHG emission sources, preparation of documentation and preparation for audits. Additionally, we support clients in reporting in accordance with ISCC EU requirements and in communication with certification bodies. With our help, companies can effectively manage their processes, while meeting EU requirements and increasing their competitiveness.
We offer support in:
- Preparation of documentation in accordance with ISCC EU requirements.
- GHG emission calculations in accordance with the directive.
- Quarterly service.
- PoS consultation.
- Preparation for certification audits.
Requirements
ISCC EU requirements
If you want to obtain the ISCC EU system certificate, you must first demonstrate compliance with the system requirements for certified raw materials and products, as well as with specific legal acts. We know that there is a lot to ask, but you don’t have to worry about it – we will be happy to help!
The ISCC EU system covers all entities that are legal owners of materials subject to certification. Therefore, the entire life cycle is assessed, from the stage of raw material acquisition to the stage of its final consumption, taking into account all intermediate stages in the supply chain. Therefore, if you intend to be an active player in this market, certification and registration in the system will be necessary.
The main requirements of the ISCC EU standard are:
- kontrola pochodzenia produktu (łańcucha dostaw),
- identyfikowalność (bilans masy),
- weryfikacja emisji gazów cieplarnianych (GHG),
- dokumentacja jakości (księga systemowa),
- zarządzanie jakością.
Obecnie nie ma określonego minimalnego udziału materiałów certyfikowanym w produkcie, dlatego Twoja firma o tym decyduje, bazując na bilansie masy. Należy jednak pamiętać, że certyfikowany materiał można zakupić i sprzedać dopiero po uzyskaniu certyfikatu ISCC EU, aby zachować certyfikowany łańcuch materiałów zrównoważonych. Szczegółowe opisy wymagań ISCC EU są dostępne na stronie Sustainability & Carbon Certification.
Implementation
Implementation of ISCC EU requirements and preparation for certification is based on cooperation between your company and an experienced team of consultants. We use the best consulting practices, which is why at Silk Road Certification we carry out the implementation in several stages:
STAGE I: Initial analysis
We need to get to know your organization well so that the quality management system best meets its needs and functions for its development. That is why we want to consult with its representatives in order to determine:
- scope of activity
- raw materials and products subject to certification,
- processes implemented in the company and their compliance with ISCC EU requirements
- suppliers and customers
- checking their compliance with the ISCC EU system requirements, including by analyzing internal documents.
STAGE II: Preparation and submission of necessary documentation
Based on the collected information, we prepare documentation compliant with ISCC EU requirements, including:
- General documents,
- System procedures,
- Mass balance system,
- Greenhouse gas emission determination,
- Appendices, forms for records, instructions and other required information.
In addition, we can make them available in the electronic quality book ksiegajakosci.pl, where you will have full access to the documentation, with the possibility of editing, adding and deleting materials.
After registering your company in the ISCC database, we support the organization of the audit by contacting the certification body and determining the audit details.
STAGE III: Finalization and training
After the documentation is accepted, we organize online training, which covers ISCC EU principles, maintaining system documentation and preparation for the certification audit.
We help ensure smooth implementation of the system in your company, so that its requirements are clear and consistent with the implemented processes.
STAGE IV: ISCC EU Audit and Certification
An auditor from the selected certification body checks the documentation for compliance with ISCC EU requirements. After a successful audit, your company receives an ISCC EU certificate and is entered on the official list of the system.
Silk Road Certification ensures the presence of a consultant during the certification audit. His/her task is to provide substantive support during the assessment. We also guarantee the implementation of all post-audit recommendations regarding the documentation we have developed, if necessary.
Q&A
Mainly, but may also cover other agricultural products related to renewable energy.
The ISCC EU certification process involves several key stages that are designed to confirm compliance with the sustainability criteria. Each of these stages is essential to ensure compliance with legal requirements and system standards.
- Preparation and registration
The company applying for certification registers with the ISCC system. At this stage, a certification body with the appropriate authorisations to conduct ISCC EU audits must also be selected. Then, data on the activities and materials to be certified is reported.
- On-site compliance audit
The auditor conducts a detailed assessment at the certified location, verifying compliance with the ISCC EU criteria. The assessment includes documentation analysis, observation of operational processes and interviews with employees.
- Mass balance analysis
This stage verifies the mass balance system that allows tracking the quantities of sustainable materials in the supply chain. This is to confirm that the declared quantities of biomass or biofuels actually meet the requirements of the system.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Assessment
GHG emissions related to production, processing and transport are calculated. The results must comply with the requirements set out in the RED II directive, including emission reductions compared to fossil fuels.
- Reporting and Certification Decision
Based on the audit results and the analysis of the documentation, the auditor prepares a report.
- If all criteria are met, an ISCC EU certificate is issued. This certificate is valid for one year and must be renewed annually through another audit.
- Supervision and Monitoring
Once certified, the company must comply with the ISCC system rules and undergo periodic inspections to ensure continued compliance.
ISCC EU is a European certification system with a global reach that enables the sale of certified products on international markets. Its implementation ensures:
- Full compliance with the regulations resulting from the RED II directive,
- A fast certification process in Poland, thanks to cooperation with certification bodies that have local staff,
- Meeting the requirements of recipients regarding the supply of sustainable biomass,
- Distinction on the market, through the possibility of marking products with the globally recognizable ISCC logo, which emphasizes the commitment to sustainable development.
ISCC EU certification covers a wide range of feedstocks and fuels, in line with the requirements of the RED II directive:
- Agricultural and forest biomass, as well as wastes and residues, including by-products from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry. This also includes lignocellulosic materials and non-food cellulosic materials used in the production of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels, including advanced biofuels and biogas for transport. These feedstocks also include those listed in Annex IX, Part A, of the RED II.
- Biofuels and biomass fuels with various indirect land-use change (iLUC) risks, both low and high risk.
- Waste and materials of non-renewable origin, such as liquid and solid waste streams, flue gases and treated wastes, which can be used to produce recycled carbon fuels.
- Energy from renewable sources other than biomass used to produce renewable liquid and gaseous fuels of non-biological origin intended for the transport sector. The ISCC EU system additionally provides a detailed list of eligible materials, which allows system participants to easily identify raw materials that meet the certification criteria.
ISCC EU accepts all voluntary and national certification schemes formally recognized by the European Commission under RED II, as well as those that have passed a preliminary assessment for RED II compliance. Materials certified under these schemes may be recognized by ISCC EU operators as RED II compliant or equivalent.
List of schemes approved by the European Commission.
- ISCC EU is a mandatory certification system for entities operating on the EU market in the biofuels, biomass and bioliquids sector, ensuring compliance with the RED II directive. It is mainly aimed at companies producing fuels for transport and energy production, requiring compliance with sustainability criteria, including the protection of biodiversity and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. ISCC EU also accepts other certification systems recognized by the European Commission.
- ISCC PLUS is a voluntary system with a global scope, covering markets outside the EU and various sectors such as industry, food and feed. It is more flexible and restrictive, accepting only ISCC PLUS certificates.
The cost of ISCC EU certification includes:
- implementation services
- the cost of certification by an external entity accredited in this area and depends on the specifics of the company and the complexity of the processes
- a fee to the owner of the standard.
We will be happy to prepare a personalized quote for you.