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EU Renewable Energy Directive

 

 
 EU Renewable Energy Directive
As a result of the European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive (RED) the Australian canola export supply chain is under pressure to implement a sustainability certification scheme to be in place by the 2011/2012 harvest to avoid possible trade restrictions involving canola export to the EU.
The EU has set itself an objective to achieve a minimum share of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. Where biofuels are used to achieve this target, these must meet a set of sustainability requirements. This means that biofuels cannot be produced from areas which have a high biodiversity value, such as protected areas, or from areas that store a high amount of carbon, such as forests or peat lands.
Organisations can choose whether to demonstrate compliance with these sustainability requirements through national systems (not available in Australia) or by joining a voluntary scheme which is recognised by the Commission.
As of July 2011, the Commission only approved seven voluntary schemes, of which only two are available and suitable for the Australian canola export supply chain. The two schemes available in Australia are:
1.       The ISCC Scheme;
2.       2BSvs Scheme.
Both schemes are supported by thorough independent auditing criteria set by the European Directive 2009/28/EC. Independent auditing of the Schemes in Australia are provided by either:
1.       SGS  
2.       Bureau Veritas   
On the 6 June 2011 GTA posted a detailed discussion paper outlining the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the impact on the Australian canola industry. While not all Australian canola is used for biofuel, it appears that the EU importer requirement is for all canola imports to comply with the legislation and have sustainable certification.
GTA then held an industry forum in Melbourne on 8 July 2011 inviting key participants in the canola export supply chain, Government and EU representation as well as scheme providers and auditors. The aim of the meeting was for industry to discuss the implications the Directive may have on trade and how this should be addressed.
From this meeting it was agreed that GTA would continue to provide members with regular updates. 

 

EU Renewable Energy Directive Bulletin Board

Information from ISCC:

In the light of recent incidents please note the following regarding multi-site certification:

  • Multi-site certification under the RED is only possible if an individual mass balance calculation is performed per individual site which is part of the multi-site certification (please also see attached presentation).

  • Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the withdrawal of certificate. If a multi-site mass balance was deliberately accepted by a certification body this may result in the withdrawal of the recognition/accreditation of a certification body.

 

In case of any questions please contact info@iscc-system.org