REDcert Systeme_EN
Requirements and certification of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and recycled carbon fuels (RCFs):
With Directive (EU) 2018/2001, the European Commission has set a common framework to promote the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy, especially in the transport sector. With the adoption of Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/1184 and (EU) 2023/1185, the European Commission has defined specific requirements for the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and recycled carbon fuels (RCFs) in addition to the requirements for the production of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels already defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
Certification in the REDcert-EU scheme
Based on Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/1184 and 2023/1185, REDcert has developed specific requirements for the certification of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and recycled carbon fuels (RCFs) and submitted them to the European Commission (EU Commission) for recognition in August 2023. The submitted scheme principles were confirmed as "technically compliant" (positive technical assessment) (see EU-KOM website). Now only the formal recognition is pending in order to start the certification process.
This means that RFNBOs and RCFs can now also be certified under the REDcert-EU scheme in future.
What are RFNBOs?
RFNBOs are defined as liquid and gaseous fuels the energy content of which is derived from renewable sources other than biomass. This means that all energy stored in the RFNBO must originate from the respective renewable energy sources through the supply of renewable energy, usually renewable electricity. A possible production pathway of an RFNBO is the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity to produce hydrogen (H2). This can either be used directly as a fuel or used to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) to synthesize fuels such as what is known as e-methanol.
What are RCFs?
RCFs are defined as liquid and gaseous fuels that are produced from liquid or solid waste streams of non-renewable origin which are not suitable for material recovery in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2008/98/EC, or from waste processing gas and exhaust gas of non-renewable origin which are produced as an unavoidable and unintentional consequence of the production process in industrial installations. This type of fuel is typically obtained through thermochemical conversion, e.g. gasification or pyrolysis of the waste streams mentioned above.
Where can I find more information?
Information on the specific requirement for RFNBOs and RCFs can be found in the scheme document "Scheme principles for the production of RFNBO and RCF". This document is part of the scheme documentation of the REDcert-EU scheme.
The scheme document "Scheme principles for the production of RFNBO and RCF" can be found here.
Qualification as a REDcert certification body
The neutral certification bodies approved by REDcert check the sustainability criteria based on the REDcert scheme principles. To ensure reliable certification within the REDcert schemes, REDcert has defined requirements for the neutral inspection that must be full fill by the certification bodies and their auditors.
The required qualifications are checked by REDcert during the registration process. If all requirements are met, the certification bodies and auditors are approved for the respective REDcert system.
Please use the following forms to register as a certification body or to register auditors:
Registration as a certification body
Please send the application forms to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Do you have question about the registration and authorisation as certification body?
Peter Jürgens
REDcert GmbH
0049 228 3506101
What is the Union database (UDB)?
The Union Database (UDB) is a database pursuant to Article 28(2) and (4) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II). It is used for the traceability of gaseous and liquid fuels. The aim of the UDB is to avoid double counting and to minimise the risk of irregularities and fraud. The UDB records sustainability certificates for biofuels and the corresponding raw materials.
Avenues
Direct access to the UDB - for registered users and for testing purposes.
FAQs
We are pleased to present our Union Database (UDB) FAQs! These provide comprehensive information on topics such as how the UDB works, registration and access, initial setup, and transactions and certificates. Visit our FAQ page.
Instructions
Step-by-step help for the efficient use of the Union Database.
Where can I find training courses on the UDB?
Stay up to date with training courses offered by REDcert and the EU Commission.
Training dates of REDcert
Recording of training courses of the EU Commission
Demo videos of the UDB in German
01_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte main user - creation of a material processing in the UDB
03_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte Main User - Creating a Seller Transaction
04_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte Main User - Acceptance of a Transaction by the Buyer
05_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte Primary User - Buyer Declining a Transaction
06_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte Main User - Creating a Buyer Transaction in the Place of Origin
07_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte User - Creating Initial Inventories
08_Wirtschaftsbeteiligte User - Creation of procurement sources with/without identification number
Information from REDcert on the subject of UDB:
Info-Mail from 8th of December 2023
Info-Mail from 18th of December 2023
Info-Mail from 1st of June 2024
Info-Mail from 25th of September 2024
Info-Mail from 4th of October 2024
What is the schedule of the UDB?
The EU Commission is pursuing an ambitious timeline that includes a functional UDB by the end of 2023 that can be used to track all transactions of sustainable biomass and biofuels.
The following overview illustrates the historical timeline of the project (current dates on the part of the UDB can be found above):
|
Historical timeline of the UDB |
Supply chain |
Timeframe/Timing |
|
Start of the UDB |
Liquid |
21.11.2024(in accordance with RED III; Art. 31 a) |
|
Start of the UDB |
Gas |
in the course of Q1 2024 |
|
Start of the UDB |
Liquid |
15.01.2024* |
|
Start: Registration of the flow of goods (also online |
Gas |
02.10.2023 |
|
Start: Registration of flows of goods (internal to the system) |
Gas |
01.07.2023 |
|
Start: Registration of flows of goods |
Liquid |
03.04.2023 |
|
Start: Gas Value Chain - Initial Registration of Stocks |
Gas |
03.04.2023 |
|
Target date: Initial registration of gas value chain inventories |
Gas |
01.04.2023 |
|
Target date: Initial registration of stocks in the liquid fuel value chain |
Liquid |
31.03.2023 |
|
Start: Value chain for liquid fuels - initial registration of inventories |
Liquid |
01.03.2023 |
|
Start: Gas - Invitation of distribution system operators, transmission system operators, suppliers to UDB |
Gas |
06.02.2023 |
|
Start: Invitation VS, EO, Service Provider UDB |
All |
16.01.2023 |
|
Data harmonization with regard to the market |
All |
12.12.2022 |
|
Release/start of communication with VS/MS/Markt |
All |
21.11.2022 |
* The Union database application will be available to all successfully registered economic operators to register transactions in the liquid fuel supply chain from 15 January 2024.
- Regarding the official start date of the UDB and several requests from stakeholders, we have decided to open the application on 15 January 2024 to allow for a smoother start and better support for economic operators.
- The initial registration of stocks is possible for 1 January 2024, i.e. the stocks that are in stock/in storage by the certified economic operators from the beginning of 2024. This feature will be available in the course of 2024 for those economic operators who will be invited to the UDB in the later part of 2024 to book the transactions from 1 January 2024, provided that they are certified from that date. Economic operators should ensure that the amounts recorded can be proven to the auditor during the neutral control/audit.
- Transactions can be registered retroactively from January 1, 2024 on the basis of the first stock levels or the transactions entered into by suppliers after January 1, 2024.
Legal basis of the Union Biofuels Database (UDB):
Article 28 (2) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, the so-called RED II, provides for the introduction of a uniform and binding database at European level, in which all sustainability certificates for biofuels in the transport sector and the corresponding raw materials are recorded. In detail, this means:
'2. The Commission shall ensure that a Union database is set up to enable the traceability of liquid and gaseous fuels for transport that may be counted against the meter referred to in Article 27(1)(b) or taken into account for the purposes of the first subparagraph of Article 29(1). Member States shall require the economic operators concerned to provide information in this database on the transactions carried out and the sustainability characteristics of those fuels, including their life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, from the place of production to the fuel supplier placing them on the market. Member States may set up a national database linked to the Union database, ensuring that data entered are immediately transferred between databases. The information necessary to verify compliance with the requirements referred to in the first and fourth subparagraphs of Article 25(1) shall be entered by fuel suppliers in the relevant database.'
If you have any other specific questions about the UDB, you can direct them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We ask for your understanding that we cannot answer every question directly in view of the complexity of the topic and numerous open topics to be clarified with the UDB. However, we will try to clarify this as soon as possible in such a case.
Thank you for your understanding!
Certification bodies that are no longer approved in the REDcert-EU scheme:
| Name of certification body* | Street |
Post Code | Place | Country | Registration Number | Status | Date (since) | Reason |
|
sc@pe international ltd. |
Am Schapenteich 2 |
38104 |
Braunschweig |
Germany |
DE-B-BLE-BM-ZSt-138 |
terminated |
21.05.2024 |
Assumption of certification activities by SC@PE International GmbH |
LACON GmbH |
Moltkestraße 4 | 77654 | Offenburg | Germany | DE-B-BLE-BM-ZSt-112 | terminated | 31.12.2024 | Discontinuation of activities in the area of sustainable biomass |
*Certification bodies that left the REDcert-EU scheme more than 12 months ago, are not listed.
