REDcert-EU certification - proof of sustainability for biofuels
What is REDcert-EU?
REDcert is a voluntary certification system that can be used to prove that the sustainability criteria for the production of biofuels from biomass required by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EC - RED II) are met. REDcert is a certification system supported by associations and recognised by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) and the European Commission.
GUTcert has been certifying in accordance with the REDcert standard since 2009 and has extensive experience in this area. Certification in accordance with REDcert-EU is currently only possible for locations in the European Union and selected third countries. Thanks to GUTcert's internationally experienced auditors, we are also able to offer REDcert audits internationally.
With our accreditation by the BLE, certification of sustainable biofuels by GUTcert meets the highest standards of quality and integrity.
For whom is REDcert-EU relevant?
The production of renewable energies and fuels from biomass is gaining in importance worldwide. For the European biofuel market, the EU created binding requirements for the sustainable production and processing of biomass in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED, 2009/28/EC) and its revision (RED II, 2018/2001/EC).
In German law, these requirements have been implemented in the Biofuels Sustainability Ordinance, BioSt-NachV and BImSchV (37th and 38th). Biofuels from palm oil, rapeseed, sugar beet, grain or waste and residues (e.g. used cooking oil) account for the largest share of biofuels traded in Europe. Interfaces in particular, such as farms and collection points, first gatherers, land traders, conversion plants, suppliers and
warehouses, are obliged to be certified in
accordance with REDcert-EU.
What are the advantages of REDcert-EU certification?
Since RED II explicitly promotes the use of energy from renewable sources, the share of bioenergy to cover our energy needs will increase significantly in the future. Voluntary certification systems such asREDcert are seen as an objective and reliable way of demonstrating compliance with the sustainability criteria set out in RED II.
REDcert EU certification therefore gives economic operators easy access to the European biofuel market and the associated subsidies. They thus secure the sustainable expansion of new raw material sources and help our society one step further on the path to more responsibility for our future. In this way, certification is also a plus point for PR and marketing.
Self-declaration
With the aid of a signed self-declaration, proof must be provided to the first collector or the collection point that the biomass produced meets the RED II sustainability criteria.
Delivery documentation
Each biomass delivery for the production of sustainable biofuels must be unmistakably marked (incl. certificate number on the shipping documents) and weighed or measured to determine the quantity.
Mass balancing
A mass balance system must be maintained individually for each site and is substrate specific. It allows the physical mixing of raw material or biofuel deliveries with different sustainability properties. However, it requires that information on the sustainability properties of partial deliveries be recorded separately in the balance sheet.
Greenhouse gas balancing
Proof of GHG emission savings is mandatory for all plants producing final biofuel. For commissioning dates up to 05.10.2015, at least 50% GHG emissions must be saved compared to fossil fuel. Plants commissioned on or after 06.10.2015 must achieve at least 60% savings and plants commissioned on or after 2021 must be able to demonstrate at least 65% GHG reductions.
If you decide to work with GUTcert, an on-site audit will take place to assess compliance with the requirements of the REDcert EU system. After the audit documents have been successfully checked by GUTcert, you will receive a certificate proving compliance with the sustainability criteria of RED II. The certificate is valid for one year and is renewed by a recertification audit before it expires.
We calculate the cost of certification in accordance with REDcert-EU individually, depending on the complexity of the product, the data procurement effort and the product portfolio. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
How does the combination of REDcert-EU with other certification systems work?
In principle, all certification systems recognised by the EU (ISCC, SURE, etc.) also recognise each other. For biogas upgrading plants (BGAs) that produce biomethane for the fuel market as well as for the generation of electricity and heat, dual certification according to REDcert and SURE may be necessary under certain circumstances. However, this only applies if there is a CHP producing electricity and heat at the same site. In this case, the BGAA would have to be certified under REDcert for fuel production, but the CHP would have to be certified under SURE. Due to reduced membership costs in both systems and only slightly increased audit costs, combined audits according to REDcert and SURE are possible at low cost.
Would you like to have your company certified according to REDcert?
We would be happy to provide you with an individual offer for REDcert certification or answer any questions you may have. As a subsidiary of the AFNOR Group, we offer our services worldwide.