ETS - Emission Trading System

Verification of the annual reporting of CO2eq emissions and activity levels

ETS - Emission Trading SystemThe Emission Trading System (ETS) represents a flexible mechanism through which companies can trade greenhouse gas emission allowances within the European Union. This system, verified by RINA, was created to be flexible, cost-effective and economically efficient.

The verification activity, provided by RINA, in the ETS context is a mandatory requirement for operators of installation and aircraft operators who fall within the reported field of application to Annex I of the ETS Directive. In fact, the Directive applies to energy activities (combustion of fuels for energy purposes, plants for the incineration of municipal waste, oil refining and coke production), the production of iron and steel, the production or transformation of ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals, the production of alumina, primary and secondary aluminium, the mineral products industry, the paper industry, the chemical industry, the capture, transport and storage of greenhouse gases (GHG) and air transport.

Why RINA?

RINA is an Eu ETS verification body accredited by ACCREDIA (Accreditation Certificate no. 0002 VV) since 2013 and recognized by the National Competent Authority since 2005. The accreditation covers the geographical limitations to Italy and all areas with the sole exclusion of primary and secondary aluminium, capture and geological storage of greenhouse gases and the production of nitric acid, adipic acid, glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, caprolactam and air transport. 

Verification procedure

The process follows the following steps:

- opening contract with Operator: acceptance of the offer formulated following receipt of the informative questionnaire
- document verification: strategic and risk analysis, evaluation of emissions and/or ALC report, verification of data relating to activities, data collection methods, calculation methodologies
- verification activities: on-site verification, examination of the completeness of the sources and flows, of the monitoring methodology implemented by the installation, of the data acquisition and uncertainty assessment procedures
- reporting: preparation of the internal verification documentation and the verification report
- independent technical review (ITR) of the verification activities carried out and sending the Verification report to the Operator.

Our experts answer to the most frequently questions

The operator's obligations in the ETS context concern compliance with the requirements of the ETS Directive as transposed by each Member State and the implementing regulations such as: Regulation 2066/2018 and subsequent amendments (MRR), Regulation 331/2019 and subsequent amendments (FAR)., Regulation 1842/2019 (RALC)
By March 31st of each year, the Operator must submit the annual emission report accompanied by the relevant Verification report issued by an accredited verification body to the National Competent Authority.
By March 31st of each year the Operator must enter the corresponding number of tonnes of CO2eq verified in the Unique European Register which must be approved by the accredited body responsible for the verification.
By March 31st of each year, the Operator must submit the Annual Activity Level report to the National Competent Authority, accompanied by the relevant Verification report issued by an accredited verification body

Regulatory focus

The ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the EU and its Member States led to the publication of the ETS Directive. Since 1 January 2005, European companies falling within the scope of the Directive have been obliged to calculate their CO2 emissions and report them annually. For the installation subject to it, the Directive provides:

- the authorization issued by the National Competent Authorities (NCA);
- the free allocation of allowances by the NCA for the majority of installations falling under the Directive, according to Delegated Regulation (EU) 331/2019;
- the obligation to monitor and report CO2 and/or CO2eq emissions by 31 March of each year for the previous year of monitoring;
- the obligation to monitor and communicate the level of activity for each sub-installation according to the Implementing Regulation (EU) 1842/2019 by 31 March of each year for the previous year of monitoring;
- the obligation to return a number of allowances equal to the emissions of CO2 and/or CO2eq of each year for the previous year of monitoring.

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