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PEFC Update: RED III Standards Officially Approved for Renewable Energy Compliance On 8 May 2025, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) General Assembly officially approved the long-anticipated PEFC RED III standards. This marks a major advancement in aligning forest biomass certification with the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), which sets stricter sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements across the renewable energy sector. Strengthening PEFC's Alignment with RED III The approval represents the final procedural step in PEFC's standard-setting process. It follows a positive technical assessment from the European Commission (EC) in April 2025, confirming the readiness of the PEFC RED III certification scheme. The new standards allow PEFC Chain of Custody-certified organisations to obtain a PEFC RED III certificate, enabling them to demonstrate compliance with the sustainability criteria of RED III. Organisations not yet PEFC-certified can also access this framework by simultaneously obtaining both the Chain of Custody and RED III certificates. PEFC RED III certification is applicable worldwide and covers forest biomass, processing residues from forest industries, ligno-cellulosic waste, and fuels derived for heating, cooling, and electricity generation. Key Differences Between PEFC RED II and RED III Aspect PEFC RED II PEFC RED III Legal Alignment Based on RED II (Directive 2018/2001) Fully aligned with RED III (Directive 2023/2413) Certification Structure Separate from PEFC Chain of Custody Integrated with PEFC Chain of Custody with added requirements GHG Emissions Reporting Default values acceptable Requires reporting of actual or default values for full traceability Geographic Scope Primarily EU-based adoption Global applicability Compliance Pathways Single-level compliance mechanism Multi-level: Level A (risk assessment) and Level B (evidence-based) Documentation Requirements Less prescriptive More detailed audit trail and mandatory documentation Risk Assessment Framework Not formally defined PEFC ST 5004 enables recognised Level A national/subnational tools Key Features of PEFC RED III Certification The newly adopted PEFC RED III scheme is a revision of the previous RED II framework and introduces several core comp onents: Expanded Scope : It includes additional requirements for both certified organisations and certification bodies, defined under PEFC ST 5002 and ST 5003 respectively. GHG Calculations and Declarations : Certified producers must report default or actual GHG emissions values throughout the supply chain. Level A Risk Assessments : PEFC ST 5004 provides a mechanism for developing recognised national or sub-national risk assessments that verify compliance with harvesting and land-use carbon stock criteria under Article 29 of RED III. Multi-level Compliance Options : Forest biomass producers in countries with recognised Level A risk assessments are eligible for simplified compliance pathways. Where such assessments are lacking or partial, Level B compliance applies through additional PEFC certification and documentation. Implementation and Global Relevance PEFC RED III certification can be adopted by economic operators globally and is designed to ensure harmonised implementation while offering flexibility to suit different regional contexts. The PEFC scheme integrates seamlessly into the broader EU compliance framework by supporting data traceability and regulatory reporting obligations. This milestone reinforces PEFC's commitment to credible, transparent certification and provides renewable energy operators with a trusted route to demonstrate RED III compliance through sustainably sourced forest biomass. Peterson Solutions Indonesia  stands ready to support your transition to PEFC RED III certification. We offer tailored services including gap assessments, certification readiness support, and training on GHG emissions reporting and risk documentation. Source: https://www.pefc.org/news/pefc-general-assembly-greenlights-red-iii-standards

ASC Update: A New Unified Farm Standard for Responsible Aquaculture The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)  has released a significant update to its certification programme through the launch of a new unified Farm Standard , now officially in effect. This ASC update  consolidates multiple species-specific standards into a single, integrated framework that strengthens environmental safeguards, improves fish welfare practices, and enhances social responsibility across aquaculture operations. Key Highlights from the ASC Update to Farm Certification The ASC Farm Standard brings several significant changes aimed at improving efficiency, consistency, and impact across certified farms: One Standard for All : Consolidates various species-specific requirements into a unified certification framework. Stronger Fish Welfare Measures : Improved criteria for health, handling, and farming practices. Enhanced Social Safeguards : Clearer protection for workers’ rights and community well-being. Stricter Environmental Requirements : Science-based criteria to reduce biodiversity impact and support ecosystem health. Smarter, Flexible Certification : Designed to adapt to evolving market demands, regulations, and consumer expectations. Transition Period and Implementation The new Farm Standard became effective in May 2025 , with a two-year transition period  allowing farms to adopt the new requirements at their own pace. During this time: Current ASC Species Standards remain valid and in use Certified entities may switch to the new standard when ready ASC offers training, tools, and support to ensure a smooth transition Early adopters will be recognised for leadership in responsible aquaculture Why This Matters With the global demand for seafood increasing and sustainability expectations rising, the updated ASC Farm Standard enables producers and supply chain actors to: Meet compliance more effectively Strengthen supply chain credibility Prepare for future regulatory developments Deliver higher environmental and social performance Support for Your Transition At Peterson Solutions Indonesia, we assist businesses in navigating certification changes with confidence. Our services include: Gap assessments and readiness evaluations Training and capacity building on new ASC requirements Documentation development and stakeholder support Stay ahead by aligning your aquaculture operations with the updated ASC certification framework. For detailed guidance or implementation support, contact us on marketing-indonesia@onepeterson.com . Source: https://asc-aqua.org/news/the-standard-is-changing-join-asc-at-seafood-expo-global-2025-to-hear-more/

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.

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