2021-07-20
The European Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (also known as RED II) has become effective from 1 July 2021. This directive also contains sustainability criteria as set out in Articles 29(2) to (7) and (10), greenhouse gas emissions savings thresholds as set out in Article 25(2), and mass balance system requirements as set out in Articles 30(1) and 30(2). Economic operators active in the field of biofuels, bioliquids and/or biomass fuels (solid and gaseous biomass) shall comply with the aforementioned legal requirements.
Better Biomass has received a positive technical assessment from the European Commission. This means that economic operators with a Better Biomass certificate can demonstrate that they comply with the relevant RED II requirements, so that their biofuels, bioliquids or biomass fuels qualify for being taken into account in determining the (national) renewable energy target. To date, the European Commission doesn’t officially recognize voluntary schemes in the framework of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 pending finalizing the Implementing Act on rules to verify sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria and low indirect land-use change-risk criteria (expected by the end of 2021). Meanwhile economic operators can use Better Biomass to remain legal compliant.
Better Biomass will initiate a full revision process of its scheme by incorporating the Interpretation Document in the related scheme documents (i.e. NTA 8080-1, NTA 8080-2 and NCS 8080) to enhance user-friendliness and practicability, and by reviewing the (non-legal) sustainability criteria to promote high-end valorization of biobased raw materials as part of the deployment of the (circular) bioeconomy and in support of the ‘Fit for 55’ climate package.