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 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  

Certification process  

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”.  

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

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

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. 

Why RINA?  

RINA has:  

- Accredia accreditation (Certificate n. 0002PRD) 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 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 2019 Climate-Energy Package, the EU set the first targets for 2020: a 20% increase in energy efficiency, a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% coverage of energy needs from renewable sources (with a specific target of 10% for transport). Subsequently, Directive (EU) 2018/2001, known as RED II, raised the targets to 2030: at least 32% of gross final energy consumption must come from renewable sources, with a specific target of 14% for the transport sector.  

Frequently asked questions