Certification of Renewable Fuels of Non-Biogenic Origin (RFNBOs)

E-fuels - energy carriers that are generated from renewable electricity - are of crucial importance for the complete decarbonization of the energy system. They will be particularly indispensable in areas where direct electrification is not possible, such as in aviation and maritime transport. There, RFNBOs can serve as "drop-in" alternatives to fossil fuels.

The EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) sets out the legal framework for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources - including in the transport sector. It defines the requirements for RFNBOs to enable them to contribute to the EU's 14% target for renewable energies in transportation.

To qualify as "renewable fuels of non-biological origin" (RFNBO), producers must meet various criteria. In order to ensure uniformity and prevent greenwashing, the EU has created a central directive in the form of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which sets binding targets for the expansion of renewable hydrogen technologies. In order to achieve these targets, the European member states are obliged to actively promote the use of RFNBOs such as renewable hydrogen.

In addition to RFNBOs, so-called Recycled Carbon Fuels (RCFs) are also gaining increasing importance. RCF stands for recycled carbon-based fuel. These are fuels produced from recycled materials – typically solid or liquid waste of fossil origin, such as plastic waste, industrial gases, or used oils. Although RCFs are not considered renewable energy sources, they can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction – provided their use meets strict sustainability requirements. The legal classification and accounting treatment of RCFs are governed by differentiated regulations and require special consideration within the framework of existing legislation.
 

Delegated acts implementing the RFNBO criteria

The EU Commission has also issued two delegated acts for concrete implementation, which define detailed requirements for the procurement of electricity and the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions:

1. RFNBO Delegated Act
This legal act lays down detailed rules for the procurement of electricity from renewable sources for the production of RFNBOs. For example, requirements are defined for the temporal and geographical correlation between electricity production and consumption.

2 Methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions
This legal act defines a life cycle-based methodology for determining the greenhouse gas intensity of RFNBOs. A distinction is made as to whether the electricity comes entirely from renewable sources or is partly obtained from the electricity grid.

Requirements for RFNBOs

In accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive RED II, the EU Commission places the following requirements on hydrogen classified as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO):

1. Renewable electricity sources: The electricity used for hydrogen production must come from renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, tidal or hydroelectric. Electricity from biomass is not permitted.
2. GHG savings: RFNBOs must have at least 70% GHG savings compared to fossil fuels.
3. Temporal and geographical correlation: The electricity used for hydrogen production must correlate temporally and geographically with hydrogen production to ensure that the electricity actually comes from renewable sources.
4. Additionality: The renewable electricity used for hydrogen production must be additional to existing renewable electricity generation capacity.
5. Industry sub-target: According to RED III, there is an industry sub-target according to which a certain proportion of the hydrogen used for energy and non-energy purposes must meet the RFNBO criteria.

These requirements are intended to ensure that hydrogen as an RFNBO actually contributes to the decarbonization of the transport sector and does not compete with the use of biomass.

Certification of renewable hydrogen

There are several relevant certification standards and frameworks recognized in the European Union for certifying RFNBOs. In principle, voluntary certification schemes can apply to the EU Commission for recognition. After a thorough assessment of whether the systems meet the requirements of the RED, they can then be officially recognized by the Commission. Only recognized systems may issue certificates for the verification of RFNBOs.

The most important certification standards for RFNBOs include ISCC and REDcert:

1. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)

• ISCC EU: A standard that is compliant with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and is used specifically for the sustainability certification of RFNBOs and other renewable fuels.
• ISCC PLUS: For global markets and applications outside the scope of the EU RED.

2. REDcert

• REDcert-EU: Another system that meets the requirements of the EU RED II directive and is suitable for certifying RFNBOs.
• REDcert²: An extended version for applications outside the scope of the EU RED.

For whom is RFNBO certification relevant?

RFNBO certification is relevant for the following actors:

Hydrogen producers: Companies that produce renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin require mandatory certification in order to market their products as RFNBOs and meet the legal requirements. The certification proves the origin and sustainability of the product.

Companies in the supply chain: Stakeholders such as refineries, logistics providers or end consumers who integrate RFNBO products into their value chains must also ensure their certification. This is the only way to prove conformity with the regulatory requirements.

DQS is available for certification as an approved certification body of ISCC and REDcert. Please feel free to contact us!

Note: Revision of RED II to RED III

It is important to note that the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) has now been revised and is available as RED III. The implementation deadline for the new requirements of RED III began on May 21, 2025.

The revision of RED II to RED III also has an impact on the regulation of RFNBOs:

• The minimum requirement for GHG savings for RFNBOs has been raised from 70% to 80%.
• In addition, a binding industry sub-target has been introduced, according to which 50% of the hydrogen used for energy and non-energy purposes must meet the RFNBO criteria.
• In addition, RED III defines the requirements for the temporal and geographical correlation between electricity production and hydrogen production even more precisely in order to ensure that the electricity actually comes from renewable sources.

These stricter requirements in RED III show that the EU wants to further promote the use of RFNBOs and ensure higher climate effectiveness. Companies that manufacture or use RFNBO products must therefore keep a close eye on the implementation of the RED III Directive.

Conclusion

The development of an efficient low-carbon economy involving RFNBOs offers enormous potential for achieving ambitious climate targets and creating innovative, future-proof business models. Companies pursuing this path should take a close look at the current legal framework and certification options.

DQS is your partner for the certification of RFNBOs and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about certification.