REDII compliance timeline for SBP certification unclear

The implementation timeline for the requirement for Sustainable Biomass Programme (SBP) certificate holders to comply with EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) standards is unclear, and will likely not become binding until the first half of 2024.

The SBP standards committee decided that RED II compliance would become mandatory for all certificate holders, and the body's board is set to vote on the final draft of the revised standards in December 2022, according to the timeline published on the SBP website.

An effective date will be announced after the board's endorsement of the amendment, followed by an 18 month transition period, SBP told Argus.

After the transition period, all certificate holders must comply with EU REDII sustainability standards, regardless of where their product is produced or consumed, SBP said.

Should the current timeline be followed, implementation of this new requirement may not start earlier than mid-2024, when the 18-month transition period would end.

The SBP opened a consultation with stakeholders in November 2021, but the findings were inconclusive and the decision was made to make REDII compliance mandatory for SBP certification, with the announcement published on 27 September 2022.

Guidance on the transition process and next steps will be given to all existing and prospective certificate holders, the body said.

By John Cooper