REDcert Certification Process with DQS India

Certification system for sustainable biomass

Anyone who wants to sell or trade biomass on the European markets needs a certificate that confirms sustainability. REDcert certification is a multi-level certification system that allows you to prove that your biomass is sustainable. DQS India is your partner for the required audit.

Improves your corporate image

Competitive advantages and funding benefits

Proof of compliance with legal requirements

Simplified access to the EU fuel market

REDcert is a prerequisite for biomass trading in the EU

The REDcert certification system was launched by the most important agricultural associations and the biofuel industry through REDcert GmbH. In 2010, the certification was recognized by the German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Today, the certificate is a prerequisite for trading biomass for energy production.

The REDcert standard complies with the German biomass sustainability ordinances BioSt-NachV and Biokraft-NachV. After the standard was recognized in Germany by the BLE, it was approved in the EU in 2012. The so-called "Renewable Energy Directive" (RED I) is only valid within the EU and in Germany. In exchange, the certification can be used by all participants in the value chain of biomass or biofuels.

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Compliance with legal requirements for the sustainability of biofuels

REDcert certification provides products along the entire biofuel value chain with proof of the sustainability of the biomass used. The system can be applied at all stages, from the production of raw materials and processing to the production of biofuel.

REDcert certification was expanded in 2015. Since then, there are the REDcert² standards. This system is designed for sustainable biomass in non-regulated markets. For companies, this means that they can also have their biomass certified as sustainable if it is not a matter of fuels or combustibles, but also food or animal feed.Thus, there are a total of three grades of REDcert certification:

REDcert DE: This standard applies to products and companies that are predominantly active on the German market.
REDcert EU: This certification has the same content as the DE version, but is valid within the EU.
REDcert²: This is an extension to feed and food. The certificate is also valid throughout the EU.

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REDcert in response to EU directives

REDcert's certification systems are based on the requirements of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. This replaced previous directives, including the 2003/30/EC Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

All REDcert EU certificates comply with the applicable EU directives and implement their requirements.

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Important criteria for the REDcert certificate

In order to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption, biomass plays an important role in the EU. Since 2011, only biomass from sustainable sources may be used for energy production in Germany. In order to obtain the necessary REDcert certification, various requirements must be met.

From the farmer to the supplier, 17 additional criteria must be met for certification. These include:

Evidence of sustainable farm development
Sustainable farm management
Farm diversification and specialization
Implementation of training and continuing education
Avoidance of soil compaction
Evidence of appropriate water use

These and other criteria are included in an audit for REDcert certification. DQS India can not only certify your company but also guide you through all the steps leading up to the certificate.

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This is how REDcert certification works

In the first step, we discuss your company, management system and field of activity in a personal meeting or by e-mail. Since the duration of the audit depends on the size and complexity of your company, we need some information from you, such as the number of employees. On this basis, you will promptly receive a detailed and transparent offer, tailored to your individual needs.

As soon as your company is ready, an audit date is set together with you and approved auditors with the necessary competence and experience in your industry are selected. During the certification audit, our auditors assess, among other things, whether your management system meets the requirements of the standard and identify the potential for improvement. In a final discussion, you will receive a detailed presentation of the results from your DQS India auditor, including a description of the potential for improvement for your company. If necessary, action plans are agreed upon.

If you have met all the requirements in the audit, you will receive your REDcert certificate with a validity period of twelve months.

What does REDcert certification cost?

The cost of REDcert certification depends on the size of your company and the complexity of your processes, among other things. We will be happy to make you an individual offer for your company without obligation.