EU legislation is driving the change to a more sustainable economy at a rapid pace. From 2025, PET bottles must consist of at least 25% recycled material, and two years later this proportion will rise to 30% - and will then also apply to other plastic products. At the same time, renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin (RFNBOs) such as green hydrogen will play a key role in climate protection. To support this transformation process, the ISCC PLUS certification standard offers a holistic approach.
What is ISCC PLUS?
ISCC PLUS is an internationally recognized system for certifying the sustainable procurement and use of raw materials. It is based on six main principles: No deforestation; good agricultural practices; safe working conditions; respect for human, labor and land rights; compliance with laws and contracts; and continuous improvement. ISCC PLUS thus goes far beyond purely environmental aspects and enables companies to take full responsibility for the sustainability impact of their entire supply chain.
ISCC PLUS vs. ISCC EU
The key difference between ISCC PLUS and the ISCC EU standard is the scope of application. ISCC EU is specifically designed for the sustainability certification of renewable fuels and biofuels and complies with the requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). ISCC PLUS, on the other hand, can be used for a much broader range of products and applications outside the EU legal framework - from recycled plastics and landfill gases to RFNBO products such as green hydrogen.
Certification of RFNBOs
According to the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), RFNBO producers must meet various criteria in order to be able to market their products as "renewable fuels of non-biological origin". These include requirements regarding the origin of the electricity, greenhouse gas savings and temporal and spatial correlation between electricity production and hydrogen production.
ISCC PLUS is one of the certification systems recognized by the EU Commission that enables independent testing and certification of RFNBOs in accordance with the RED III specifications. This enables companies to prove the conformity of their products with the legal requirements.
Certification of Renewable Fuels of Non-Biogenic Origin (RFNBOs)
The transition to a low-carbon economy is one of the key challenges of our time. Renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) can play a key role in this. These include not only hydrogen technologies, but also synthetic fuels produced from renewable hydrogen and CO². Below you will find everything you need to know about the certification of RFNBOs.
Possible applications of ISCC PLUS
In addition to the certification of RFNBOs, companies in any industry can benefit from ISCC PLUS certification. Typical use cases are
- Manufacturers of bioplastics or products with recycled plastic content
- Companies that process household waste, landfill gases or used car tires into valuable products
- Producers of food, animal feed or chemicals based on renewable raw materials
By demonstrating sustainability along the entire supply chain, companies can meet consumer demands for responsibly manufactured products, retain employees and proactively meet regulatory requirements.
Future-proof solutions for the circular economy and climate protection
ISCC PLUS is a powerful tool to support the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. With increasing regulatory requirements for both recycled materials and renewable fuels, ISCC PLUS certification is an important step for a growing number of companies to be competitive and future-proof.
DQS - Your partner for ISCC certification
As an approved certification body for ISCC PLUS and RFNBO products, DQS will be happy to advise you. Contact us if you would like to find out more about the possibilities of ISCC PLUS certification.
DQS Newsletter
Stay informed and subscribe to our newsletter!
Author
Constanze Illner
Constanze Illner (she/her) is Research and Communications Officer in the area of sustainability and food safety. In this position, she keeps an eye on all important developments in this context and informs our clientele in a monthly newsletter. She also moderates the annual Sustainability Heroes conference.
Loading...
