Companies that claim liquid biofuels demonstrate their sustainability in the Netherlands by having their location(s) certified by a voluntary scheme for biofuels.
Please note: the information available on this page is only relevant for 2018-2021.
This process also applies to production sites that produce gaseous biofuel for input into the natural gas transport net or pipeline, if that production is intended for the claiming of gaseous biofuel. Only voluntary schemes that are recognised by the European Commission may be used.
Assessment and recognition of voluntary schemes
The European Commission assesses voluntary schemes for biofuels using the sustainability criteria laid down in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Schemes that meet the requirements are recognised by the European Commission for a period of 5 years. The website of the European Commission provides a list of the recognised schemes for biofuels.
After the recognition of 5 years has lapsed, the relevant organisations may submit an application for renewal to the European Commission. Since 2016, this procedure has taken place for a number of voluntary schemes. Practice shows that the processing of the application for renewal until the decision by the European Commission takes a significant amount of time. As a result, it may occasionally be the case that original recognition has lapsed in the meantime.
Use of voluntary schemes during applications
Under certain conditions, the NEa will accept that claiming companies make use of voluntary schemes of which recognition renewal has not yet been completed.
This situation may apply if:
- an application for the renewal of the recognition period has demonstrably been submitted to the European Commission for the relevant voluntary scheme approximately one year before the recognition period has lapsed,
- the European Commission has demonstrably processed the application.
Furthermore, acceptance of these circumstances:
- will cease immediately in the event that the European Commission rejects the application,
- will end 6 months after the lapse of the end date of the recognition period.
This specific situation only applies to applications for renewal of approved voluntary schemes.
Voluntary schemes may not be used during new applications for recognition.
Areas of application for voluntary schemes
Voluntary schemes have various areas of application, for which they are recognised by the European Commission.
Many schemes are suitable for multiple feedstocks. Others focus on a specific feedstock such as sugar cane or palm oil. Most schemes, however, can be used by companies in all links of the production chain. Others are only applicable to the cultivation of agricultural crops, for example. Virtually all schemes cover all European sustainability criteria. The European Commission provides more information on the fields of application for the recognised voluntary schemes.