Overview about different certification systems Berlin, Germany 12th March 2010 Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) Aino Martikainen
Elements of a certification system Principle, Criteria, Indicators Chain of custody Examples of certification systems
Certification Certification is a process whereby an independent third party assesses the quality management in relation to a set of predetermined requirements (standards). These are mostly formulated as criteria that have to be fulfilled for the certification of a product or a production process. To use criteria for the formulation of certification standard they have to me operational and measurable. van Dam et al. 2008: Overview of recent developments in sustainable biomass certification. In: Biomass and Bioenergy 32 (2008), 749-780.
Certification scheme Principles Criteria Indicators/ Verifiers Reporting Sources: UNCTAD/ NTA 8080
Certification scheme Example: The greenhouse gas balance of the production chain and application of the biomass shall be positive (Cramer Criteria) Indicators/ Verifiers Principles Criteria Describe the objective of certification, usually formulated in an abstract and non-quanfiable way Reporting Sources: UNCTAD/ NTA 8080
Certification scheme Principles Example: In the application of biomass a net emission Indicators/ reduction of greenhouse gases shall take place along Verifiers the whole chain. The reduction is calculated in relation to a reference suítuation with fossil fuels. Criteria Translate objectives into substantive requirements that have to be complied with; a criterion is much more specific than a general principle Reporting
Certification scheme Principles Example: Minimum requirement for net emission reduction of greenhouse gases for biogas at least 60 % Indicators/ Verifiers Criteria Quantitative or qualitative minimum parameters by which a criterion becomes testable Reporting
Certification scheme Example: The organisation shall report, at the request Indicators/ of government, about the potential risk on indirect effects in the field Verifiers of competition with food and local applications of biomass and effects of land use changes, directly associated with this. Principles Criteria Information that is requested when testable indicators are not available; no minimum requirements are set that have to be met Reporting
Traceability Segregation Mass Balance Book & Claim
Segregation Separate systems for certified and no-certified material No mixture possible Product is made of 100% certified material
Mass balance Mixing of certified and non-certified product flows The proportion (or percentage) of the product sold as sustainable certified is equal to the proportion of sustainable certified material entering the process
Book and claim Administrative system that provides tradable credits for the production of certified sustainable products separated from physical streams
Audit Process to determine to evaluate the compliance with the standard Methods: Review of documentation Field studies Stakeholder interviews Audit frequency
Certification systems in the European Union ISCC International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (German) RTFO Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (UK) Cramer Criteria (NTA 8080)
International Initiatives RSPO Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil A the moment no criteria on greenhouse gas emissions Only for palm oil Already established, first certified palm oil 2008 RSB Round Table on Sustainable Biofuels Pilot projects running, seeks recognition of the EU as a voluntary standard after RED RTRS Round Table on Responsible Soy Association Feld tests running, recognition seeked Only for soy
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