In 2016, Hebei Jingu obtained the ISCC certification for biodiesel and catering waste oil, and can export to European countries without any problems.
The ISCC system, which is based on the new EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) sustainability standard, has been approved by the German Agriculture and Food Office (BLE). In 2011, the EU adopted the EU-RED Biofuel Sustainability Certification Scheme Memorandum, which approved seven sustainability certification schemes for biofuels to help the EU in Sustainability certification is available to biofuel producers and importers through these seven voluntary certification schemes approved by the European Commission, in addition to the sustainability certification schemes of the EU member states. Sustainability certification is required for all biofuels marketed in the EU. The following three requirements must be met for certification:
1. land use for biofuel feedstock: no destruction of tropical rainforests or natural grasslands and nature reserves with unique ecosystems, and no use of areas with high carbon sinks, such as forests and peatlands, for feedstock production;
2. lower GHG reductions over the life cycle of the fuel chain: the existing standard is 35%, the lower standard is planned to be 50% by 2017 and the lower standard is expected to be 60% by 2018;
3. the certification system must monitor the whole fuel chain: from feedstock production, fuel production to filling stations, i.e. a fuel chain life cycle evaluation and monitoring.
In terms of the certification process, firstly the EU will check that the system applied for meets the requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive, and the certification scheme will also verify where and how the fuel is produced. Once qualified, the system will be granted certification status and the European Commission has the right to terminate the certification body's status. Following a detailed assessment and selection process by the European Commission, seven biofuel sustainability certification schemes have recently been approved:
1. Domestic and international Sustainability and Carbon Certification Scheme (ISCC). This is a global initiative covering all types of biomass and biofuels, with members from the entire biofuel supply chain, such as NGOs like WWF.
2. EU Bonsucro Certification. This project focuses on standards related to sugarcane ethanol produced from sugarcane in Brazil and involves a large number of companies in the supply chain.
3. Trustworthy Soy Roundtable. This program develops standards for soy biodiesel with a special focus on soy production in Argentina and Brazil.
4. Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The project covers all types of biofuels and is worldwide in scope, with members from all stages of the supply chain.
5. Voluntary certification scheme for the sustainability of biomass biofuels. This project is a French initiative and covers all types of biofuels worldwide.
6. Biofuel Sustainability Assurance Scheme. It is an industry-sponsored initiative focused on ethanol, using a mandatory standard to calculate actual greenhouse gas values.
7. Brazilian Bioethanol Certification Scheme. This scheme is also an industry initiative and applies to sugar cane ethanol production in Brazil.
As of today, there are 13 certification schemes that have been recognised and partially recognised by the European Commission.
What do I need to prepare if I want to be ISCC certified? Or what needs to be done? How long does ISCC certification take?
You need to prepare materials and evidence according to the requirements of the ISCC system, including material balances, greenhouse gas calculations, internal management and so on. The specific certification process is as follows:
1Customers first sign a certification service agreement with an ISCC qualified auditing body (CB)
2 Then register with the ISCC system
3The client prepares audit materials according to ISCC requirements and then conducts an internal audit
4 Then the CB will visit the site to conduct an external audit and provide audit comments, and the auditee must complete the rectification within 40 days according to the audit comments.
5 After the corrections are completed the CB completes the report and issues the ISCC certificate.
The progress of the audit is mainly determined by the completeness of the materials, the cooperation of the auditee and the progress of the rectification. It takes about 2 months from the on-site audit to the issuance of the certificate.
