Woody biomass from sustainably managed forests now complies with the latest EU directive
Biomass from sustainably managed forests can now demonstrably meet the latest European sustainability requirements. Certification organisation PEFC has adapted its standards to the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). This enables wood suppliers and buyers of biomass to demonstrate with a PEFC certificate that their product meets the stricter EU guidelines for renewable energy.
The integration of RED III into the PEFC certification system means that companies can extend their existing certification with a PEFC-RED III label. This additional label makes it clear that the biomass not only comes from responsibly managed forests, but also meets the sustainability criteria that have been in force in the European Union since 2023.
RED III: stricter requirements, more certainty
The RED III directive forms the core of the European renewable energy policy up to 2030. For biomass from forests, the directive sets requirements on origin, biodiversity conservation, protection of carbon stocks and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. With the introduction of RED III, these requirements have been tightened and better aligned with the climate goals of the Green Deal.
The PEFC standard operates worldwide and was previously recognised as an evidentiary instrument under RED II. This recognition has now been continued under RED III, where the European Commission has positively assessed the system as a voluntary evidentiary instrument. This means that Member States and supervisors can accept PEFC certification as sufficient evidence of compliance, without the need for additional checks.
Clear application, globally recognized
The amended certification rules apply worldwide and ensure a harmonised application of the European directive. They include, among other things, sharper definitions of sustainable forest management, clear documentation requirements and stricter monitoring of compliance. In this way, PEFC offers additional certainty to companies that produce, trade or use biomass for energy production.
This step is also important for energy companies, heat producers and policy makers. With the new certification, they will have more control over the origin of biomass and can more easily demonstrate its sustainability – an increasingly important aspect in national and European reporting and subsidy conditions.
Opportunities for the sector
The recognition of PEFC as a RED III-compliant system gives the market for woody biomass a significant boost. It helps to prevent misunderstandings about the origin and sustainability of biomass and supports a transparent system in which responsible forest management is central.
The PEFC-RED III label provides companies with a powerful tool to demonstrate that their product meets the highest standards in terms of sustainability, traceability and legislation. This strengthens the position of certified biomass in a market where the bar is being raised ever higher.
More information can be found at www.pefc.nl and via the official documentation from the European Commission on RED III and sustainable biomass.
