Standardized initiatives towards sustainable biomass certification - World Biofuels Markets, Rotterdam, March 24, 2011

1. Standardized initiatives towards
sustainable biomass certification
Harmen Willemse,
Netherlands Standardisation Institute
Rotterdam, March 24, 2011
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 1

2. NTA 8080 Sustainability criteria
for biomass for energy purposes
• Criteria for sustainability
• Translated into auditable requirements
• Certification system for demonstrating
compliance
• For Solid, Liquid and Gaseous biomass
• For international application
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 2

3. Definition of Sustainability
Cramer sustainability
themes:
• Greenhouse gas
emissions
• Competition with food
and local applications
of biomass
• Biodiversity
• Environment
• Prosperity
• Social well-being
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 3

4. People
Well-being
The production of biomass
needs to contribute to the
well-being of the employees
and the local community.
Environment
In the production and
processing of biomass, the
quality of the soil, surface
and ground water and air
needs to be preserved, if not
improved.
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 4

5. Planet
Biodiversity
Biomass production may never
harm protected or vulnerable
biodiversity but –wherever
possible– needs to strengthen
the biodiversity.
Greenhouse gases
Considered over the entire
chain, the use of biomass
needs to result in a sharp
reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions compared to fossil
fuels.
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 5

6. Profit
Prosperity
The production of biomass
needs to contribute to the
local economy.
Competition
The production of biomass
for energy purposes may not
endanger the food supply or
other local applications.
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 6

7. NTA 8080
• NTA 8080 Sustainability criteria for biomass for
energy purposes (2009)
• NTA = Netherlands Technical Agreement
• Contains auditable requirements
• Developed with a diverse group of Dutch
stakeholders with international operations
• For international application
• Voluntary scheme for RED compliance
• Input in international standardization
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

8. Certification system
• NTA 8080 sustainability criteria
• NTA 8081: certification scheme
• Interpretation document
• Portal www.NTA8080.org
– Information
– Register with certified companies
– Affiliated CB’s
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

9. NTA 8081 certification scheme
• NTA 8081 describes the certification
scheme for NTA 8080
• Developed by Committee of Experts
– multi stakeholder approach (as in NTA 8080)
• Certification
scheme is owned and
maintained by NEN scheme management
– Updated regularly based on experiences
• Only used by affiliated CBs
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

10. NTA 8081 content
Method of
Scope
conformity Certification
assessment criteria
Require- Non- Conditions & Procedures
ments for conformities: requirements for:
certification 'minor' & for group complaints,
bodies and 'major' certification appeal, etc
auditor(s)
Necessary
Audit effort Assessment
information
in man-days frequency
for register
and validity
and report
of certificate
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

11. Scope of certification
• Solid,Liquid and Gaseous biomass
• Producers, Processors, Traders, End-
users
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

12. Added value of the certificate
• Comply with international sustainability
requirements and standards
• Broad base of support
• Adapt to new developments
• Competitive advantage
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme 12

13. Current developments
• Submitted to EC as a voluntary scheme for
demonstrating RED compliance.
• Can be used under Dutch (concept)
legislation
• Accepted by Dutch Accreditation Council
• 5 affiliated Certifying Bodies
• First two certificates issued:
–Solid biomass: Vagroen
(collector & processor woody residues)
–Liquid biomass: Van Gorsel (Colza farmer)
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme

14. Thank you for your attention
Contact details:
NEN Energy
resources
Harmen Willemse
nta8080@nen.nl
+31 (0)15 2 690 326
www.nta8080.org
NTA 8080 Sustainability Scheme