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ISCC stands for International Sustainability and Carbon Certification. It is a global certification system that offers solutions for the implementation and certification of sustainable, deforestation-free and traceable supply chains of agricultural, forestry, waste and residue raw materials, non-bio renewables and recycled carbon materials and fuels.
Independent, third-party certification ensures compliance with high ecological and social sustainability requirements, greenhouse gas emissions savings (on a voluntary basis under ISCC PLUS), and traceability throughout the supply chain. ISCC can be applied globally in all markets, including the food, feed, chemical and energy markets.
What is ISCC Certification?
Definition and Full Name
ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification is a certification system built around strict rules for the conservation of valuable landscapes and the environmentally friendly, socially responsible production of agricultural and forestry raw materials. ISCC does not accept any form of compensation or remuneration for breaches of system requirements.
The system is designed as a solution provider for sustainable supply chains, covering entire supply chains and different markets with one consistent methodology.
A Global, Multi-Stakeholder Standard
Since 2006, ISCC has continued to develop through an open multi-stakeholder process involving representatives from agriculture, processing and refining industries, trade, and NGOs with ecological and social backgrounds. Today, ISCC is one of the world's leading certification systems.
The interests of the different stakeholders are represented in the ISCC Association (ISCC e.V.). At regular regional and technical stakeholder committees in Asia, Europe, North- and South America, experiences and improvements of the ISCC System are discussed, and — when possible — lead to continuous improvements of the system.
What Does ISCC Certify?
Eligible Materials
Under ISCC PLUS, all types of agricultural and forestry raw materials, bio wastes and residues, and fossil materials contributing to the circular economy and bioeconomy can be certified. This covers all markets not regulated by the RED II, such as the food, feed and energy markets as well as diverse industrial applications — for example the chemical industry and packaging.
The corresponding lists of eligible material are not conclusive but aim to harmonize the description of material on ISCC certificates. Materials not stated on these lists may still be certifiable after consultation with and confirmation by ISCC.
Three Raw Material Categories
At the beginning of the supply chain, ISCC distinguishes three raw material categories:
- Bio feedstocks — derived from virgin biomass, i.e. the biodegradable fraction of products from agriculture, forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture (for example corn, sugarcane, rapeseed).
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Circular feedstocks — waste or processing residue that is not landfilled or energetically used, but re-used or recycled in a loop.
- "Bio-circular" refers to waste and residues of biological origin (for example UCO (used cooking oil), tall oil, food waste).
- "Circular" (including technical-circular) means feedstock derived from mechanical and/or chemical processing of recyclable materials of non-biological origin (for example mixed plastic waste, waste textiles, end-of-life tires).
- Renewable feedstocks — materials of non-biological origin derived from a process using renewable energy sources other than biomass (for example electricity from wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal or water).
ISCC EU vs ISCC PLUS
ISCC operates two certification systems for different markets: ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS. Because the two schemes are widely harmonized, ISCC offers a "One-Stop-Shop" solution — with only one audit, an operation can obtain both an ISCC PLUS and an ISCC EU certification.
| Aspect | ISCC EU | ISCC PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Demonstrates compliance with the legal sustainability requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II | Certification for all markets and sectors not regulated by RED II |
| Markets | EU biofuel markets | Food, feed, chemicals, technical and industrial applications, energy |
| Recognition | Passed preliminary assessment of the European Commission for formal recognition under RED II | Voluntary certification standard for non-regulated markets |
| GHG emissions | Mandatory for all elements of the supply chain | Voluntary (via the GHG Emissions add-on) |
The main criteria of the ISCC sustainability scheme are based on the RED II sustainability requirements, with additional sustainability requirements on environmental and social issues that go beyond legal requirements.
The Six ISCC Sustainability Principles
For farms and plantations, ISCC applies six sustainability principles that form the backbone of the standard:
- Protection of land with high biodiversity value or high carbon stock.
- Environmentally responsible production to protect soil, water and air.
- Safe working conditions.
- Compliance with human, labour and land rights.
- Compliance with laws and international treaties.
- Good management practices and continuous improvement.
How ISCC Ensures Traceability
Traceability along supply chains is a main criterion of ISCC. Within ISCC, two chain of custody options exist: physical segregation and mass balance. Under ISCC PLUS, a third option — controlled blending — can also be used.
Deliveries of ISCC certified material must always be accompanied by the issuance of a sustainability declaration. This document records the supplier and recipient, the quantity of sustainable product, the raw material category, the chain of custody option applied, and the statement "ISCC Compliant", enabling third-party verifiers to trace incoming and outgoing material flows.
To be accepted under ISCC PLUS, the whole upstream supply chain up to the farm, plantation or point of origin must be entirely ISCC certified ("ISCC Compliant"), and any material used must consist entirely of ISCC material.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Voluntary Add-ons
Within ISCC PLUS, the verification of greenhouse gas emissions is voluntary and can be added by applying the "GHG Emissions" add-on. If the add-on is applied, the ISCC EU System Document 205 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions) applies equally for ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS.
Beyond the core requirements, ISCC provides voluntary add-ons that allow a certificate to be adapted to specific market requirements. Add-ons available under ISCC PLUS include:
- Electricity and Heat from Biogas Plants
- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
- Food Security Standard (FSS)
- Non GMO Food Feed
- Non GMO Technical Markets
- GHG Emissions
- EN 15343
- Low ILUC Risk Feedstock Certification
When a System User includes an add-on in their certificate, compliance with all requirements specified therein becomes mandatory.
Governance and Integrity
The ISCC EU System Document 102 "Governance" lays down the general principles that govern the global ISCC system. It specifies the goals and internal structure of ISCC, as well as the relationship between ISCC and its stakeholders, including quality and risk management, the Integrity Programme, non-conformities and sanctions, and complaints, appeals and arbitration.
Certification is performed by independent certification bodies (CBs) that meet the requirements set out in ISCC System Document 103. Both ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS are accredited by ANSI and subject to surveillance by the German BLE. Furthermore, ISCC operates the ISCC Integrity Programme, which continuously monitors the performance of System Users and certification bodies to maintain the credibility of the system.
Why ISCC Matters for Your Business
ISCC gives companies a credible, globally recognized way to prove that their supply chains are sustainable, deforestation-free and traceable. Because ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS are harmonized, a single audit can deliver both certifications, reducing cost and duplication. For suppliers to brands and regulated markets, ISCC is frequently a market-access requirement rather than a nice-to-have.
During its development, ISCC considers and complements best-practice initiatives such as the ISEAL Alliance and international standards including ISAE 30001 and the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). This supports a consistent and reliable application of ISCC, especially regarding quality control, risk management, planning and conducting of audits, sampling, surveillance and reporting.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About ISCC
Q: What does ISCC stand for?
A: ISCC stands for International Sustainability and Carbon Certification. It is a global certification system for sustainable, deforestation-free and traceable supply chains of agricultural, forestry, waste and residue raw materials, non-bio renewables and recycled carbon materials and fuels.
Q: What is the difference between ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS?
A: ISCC EU demonstrates compliance with the legal sustainability requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II, primarily for EU biofuel markets. ISCC PLUS is a certification system for all markets and sectors not regulated by RED II, such as food, feed, chemicals and industrial applications. The two schemes are widely harmonized, so one audit can yield both certifications.
Q: Is ISCC certification mandatory?
A: ISCC certification is not mandatory in general. ISCC EU is needed to demonstrate compliance with RED II sustainability requirements for biofuels placed on the EU market. ISCC PLUS is a voluntary standard for other markets, but it is often required by downstream customers, brands and retailers as a condition of doing business.
Q: Who can be certified under ISCC?
A: Any economic operator in the supply chain can be certified, including farms and plantations, collecting points, first gathering points, traders, processing units, converters, brand owners and warehouses. To make an "ISCC Compliant" claim, the entire upstream supply chain up to the farm, plantation or point of origin must be ISCC certified.
Q: What is a sustainability declaration?
A: A sustainability declaration is a document issued for every delivery of ISCC certified material. It records the supplier and recipient, the quantity of sustainable product, the raw material category, the chain of custody option applied and the statement "ISCC Compliant", allowing third-party verifiers to trace material flows through the supply chain.
Q: How long is an ISCC certificate valid?
A: ISCC certificates are issued by accredited certification bodies following a successful audit. The requirements for the issuance and validity of ISCC certificates are set out in the ISCC system documents (ISCC EU 201 – System Basics) and applied by the certification body. The exact validity period and surveillance or recertification cycle should be confirmed with your chosen certification body.
Conclusion
ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification is a mature, globally recognized system for proving sustainable, deforestation-free and traceable supply chains. With its two harmonized schemes (ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS), six sustainability principles, robust chain-of-custody options and voluntary add-ons, it gives companies a flexible yet rigorous path to credible certification.
If you are considering ISCC certification for your supply chain, our team can help you assess the right scheme, prepare for the audit and navigate the add-ons that match your market. Contact us today for expert guidance.
References
- ISCC System GmbH. (2021). ISCC PLUS, Version 3.3, Valid from 31 August 2021.
- ISCC System GmbH. (2025). ISCC PLUS System – Structure and Overview of ISCC PLUS Documents, Version 1.2, Valid from 13 November 2025.
- ISCC System GmbH. ISCC EU System Documents 102 (Governance), 103 (Requirements for Certification Bodies and Auditors), 201 (System Basics), 202 (Sustainability Requirements), 203 (Traceability and Chain of Custody), 204 (Risk Management), 205 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions).
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