Better Biomass recognized for demonstrating compliance with REDII
2022-04-13
The European Commission has published its decision on the recognition of the ‘Better Biomass’ voluntary scheme for demonstrating compliance with the requirements set in Directive (EU) 2018/2001
The Better Biomass voluntary scheme has been evaluated and has been approved for demonstration of:
- compliance of the consignments of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels with the sustainability criteria laid down in Article 29(2) to (5) and (10) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001;
- compliance of economic operators with the obligation to enter accurate information into the Union or national database on renewable fuels and recycled carbon fuels used in transport in accordance with Article 28(4) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
The scheme also has been confirmed to contain accurate data on greenhouse gas emission savings for the purpose of Article 29(10) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 in as far as it ensures that all relevant information from economic operators upstream the chain of custody is transferred to the economic operators downstream the chain of custody.
The decision has entered into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on 8 April 2022. This decision follows the positive technical assessment last summer.
Implementation Act on sustainability, GHG and low ILUC
The assessment did not take into account the forthcoming implementing act to be adopted in accordance with article 30(8) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, on rules to verify sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria and low indirect land-use change-risk criteria as well as the delegated acts to be adopted in accordance with article 28(5) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
The ‘Better Biomass’ voluntary scheme will therefore be re-assessed when such implementing and delegated acts will be adopted. The latest reported progress on this matter is that at its 5th meeting on the 10th of March 2022, the RED II Committee on sustainability of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels cast a positive vote on the draft legal text of the Implementing Regulation on rules to verify sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria and low indirect land-use change-risk criteria. This allowed them to launch the adoption process for this legal act. These developments are followed closely by the scheme management of Better Biomass and more information will follow when there is news to report.