Netherlands launches biofuels certification scheme

Feb. 1, 2011, London, UK – The Netherlands
has launched the first system for the certification of all types of sustainable
biomass. The system was launched the last week of January by standardization institute
NEN and the Rotterdam Climate Initiative. The system is based on the Dutch
technical agreement NTA 8080, which describes requirements for assessing the
sustainability of solid, liquid, and gaseous biomass for energy applications
and transport fuels.

Currently, certification is awarded by
Dekra and Quality Services; more certifying bodies are expected to be added to
the list soon. Certification for a number of Dutch companies has already
started, and the first certificates are expected to be issued within the next
couple of months.

The system is awaiting approval from the
European Union. In June 2009, the European Commission published the Renewable
Energy Directive (RED), which includes sustainability criteria for biofuels for
transport and liquid biomass. Standards and certification schemes can be used
to demonstrate compliance with the RED. The European Committee will assess the
various existing certification schemes for compliance with RED. Standards and
certification schemes recognized by the EU will also have to be recognized by
each EU member state.