Certification of sustainable biofuel, bioliquids and biomass fuels

The certification of compliance for biofuels, bioliquids, biomass fuels ensures the reliability of information demonstrating compliance with the criteria defined by the RED II Directive for National Scheme and RED III for other voluntary schemes for this type of fuel and for the raw materials and intermediate products from which they derive. 

The main requirements for certification include the correct use of land, good agricultural practices (where applicable), information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the life cycle, traceability, chain of custody and origin from waste/residue (where applicable).

The certification is a fundamental requirement for:  

- Selling biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass fuels, the raw materials and intermediate products derived from them on the European market.
- Accessing incentives.
- Obtaining greater market competitiveness.

How does the certification process work? 

RINA provides certification services in accordance with the following certification schemes recognized by the RED II Directive:  

- “National System for the Certification of the Sustainability of biofuel, bioliquids and biomass fuels”, established by the Decree of August 7, 2024, “National system for the certification of the sustainability of biofuel, bioliquids and biomass fuels, the certification of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and the certification of recycled carbon fuels”(which has transposed the RED II Directive and is awaiting modification regarding the transposition of the RED III Directive).

- ISCC EU, a German initiative managed by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.  

- 2BS, a French initiative managed by the 2BS Association.  

The compliance certificates issued according to the National Scheme and 2BS are valid for 5 years and their maintenance is subject to periodic audits.  

The compliance certificates issued according to the ISCC EU scheme are valid for one year and for high-risk supply chains, surveillance is required during the first year of the certificate's validity.

Why RINA? 

RINA has:  

- Accredia accreditation (RINA Code 00005) for the “national system for the certification of the sustainability of biofuel, bioliquids and biomass fuels, the certification of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and the certification of recycled carbon fuels”.  

- Agreement with ISCC for ISCC EU.  

- Agreement with 2BS Association for 2BS.  

Regulatory context

The European Union has long defined binding targets for the promotion of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 

With the 2009 Climate-Energy package, the EU set the first targets for 2020: 

-  A 20% increase in energy efficiency.
- A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 
- Covering 20% of energy needs from renewable sources (with a specific target of 10% for transport). 

These targets were transposed into Directive 2009/28/EC, known as RED I.

Subsequently, Directive (EU) 2018/2001, known as RED II, updated the regulatory framework for the period 2021–2030, setting: 

- A binding target of 32% of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption by 2030, 
- A target of 14% for transport, with stricter sustainability criteria for biofuels.

Finally, Directive (EU) 2023/2413, known as RED III, further raised the targets: 

- At least 42.5% of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030, 
- At least 29% of energy used in the transport sector from renewable sources.  

Frequently asked questions