European Commission Recognises Updated ISCC EU under RED III

ISCC EU Officially Recognised Under the New Renewable Energy Directive (RED III)

On 5 May 2025, the European Commission officially issued a positive technical assessment for the updated ISCC EU System Documents, marking an important advancement for ISCC EU RED III compliance. These updates align with the latest legal requirements under Directive (EU) 2023/2413, commonly referred to as the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), reinforcing the relevance of ISCC EU RED III implementation across multiple fuel categories. This recognition marks a significant milestone in strengthening credible sustainability certification in line with the EU’s evolving energy policy framework.

The updated ISCC EU System Documents are mandatory for all ISCC System Users, auditors, and cooperating Certification Bodies. They also incorporate relevant changes from system updates issued between January and November 2024. Each document includes a clear summary of changes, and a full overview of major updates is available on the ISCC website.

What’s New Compared to the Previous Version?

The revised ISCC EU documents now reflect stricter legal standards than those under RED II. Key changes include:

• Broader Scope: Certification now explicitly covers renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), recycled carbon fuels (RCFs), and co-processed fuels.

• Enhanced Sustainability Criteria: Stricter requirements on land use, GHG emissions reporting, and feedstock traceability.

• Full Legal Alignment: All documentation has been updated to fully comply with the legal framework introduced under RED III.

RED III sets more ambitious renewable energy targets and places greater emphasis on monitoring biomass and advanced fuel categories.

Recognised Fuel Categories Under RED III

With this recognition, ISCC EU is now officially approved to certify the following fuel categories:

• Biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass fuels

• Renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs)

• Recycled carbon fuels (RCFs)

• Co-processed fuels

The technical assessment for forest biomass criteria is currently underway and pending final validation from the European Commission.

Implementation Timeline and Transition Period

The revised system documents and summaries of chachange summariesnges are available on the official ISCC website under the “ISCC EU” section.

• Effective Date: 21 May 2025 – All ISCC EU audits (certification and surveillance) must be conducted in line with the updated requirements from this date onward.

• Transition Period: Certificates issued prior to 21 May 2025 under the previous system remain valid until their stated expiry. There is no need for immediate re-certification.

• Material Stock: RED II-compliant materials certified before 21 May 2025 by a voluntary or national scheme recognised under Directive (EU) 2018/2001 may continue to be used to demonstrate compliance with RED III’s sustainability and GHG savings criteria.

Upcoming Supporting Documents and Audit Tools

By 21 May, the following will be made available:

• ISCC EU audit procedures

• Updated templates for Sustainability Declarations and Proofs of Sustainability (PoS)

• New ISCC EU certificate template (to be integrated into the ISCC HUB)

ISCC is also finalising the integration of RED III requirements into the Audit Procedure System (APS), allowing auditors to perform audits fully aligned with the new directive. Updates regarding the availability of these tools will be shared through ISCC System Updates.

Why This Matters

This update reinforces the commitment to credible, transparent sustainability certification that aligns with the EU’s latest climate and energy directives. Businesses in the bioenergy and renewable fuel sectors must adapt quickly to stay compliant and competitive.

Peterson Solutions Indonesia: Your Partner for RED III Transition

As a certified consultancy with deep experience in sustainability, Peterson Solutions Indonesia is ready to support your business in:

• Understanding RED III requirements and their impact on supply chains

• Conducting gap assessments against the revised ISCC EU criteria

• Developing strategies and documentation for audit readiness

We help ensure your operations remain competitive, compliant, and trusted by the market—stay tuned as we continue to provide guidance and updates ahead of the 21 May 2025 implementation.