Statement on Accreditation Status of DNV GL Business Assurance Finland Oy Ab

The Certification Body, DNV GL Business Assurance Finland Oy Ab (DNV GL Finland), has been suspended by Accreditation Services International (ASI) for SBP certification (effective 15 October 2018).

Details on the grounds for suspension can be viewed on the ASI website.

DNV GL has six months within which to clear the suspension. Failure to do so will result in termination.

Until the suspension is lifted, DNV GL Finland shall not enter into new agreements for certification, or conduct main (initial) certifications. DNV GL Finland shall, however, continue to conduct surveillance audits for existing clients during the period of suspension.

If you are a Certification Body or SBP Certificate Holder, see ASI’s FAQs on suspensions for further information.

SBP Approved for SDE+ Category 5 and Chain of Custody

SBP has today announced that its certification system has received approval from the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy for secondary feedstock (biomass category 5) and chain of custody, making SBP the first certification scheme recognised by the Netherlands as offering an end-to-end solution for secondary feedstock under the SDE+ subsidy regulation.

Carsten Huljus, SBP Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased with the Minister’s decision. Recognition of SBP is important to us as a certification system and to our Certificate Holders who wish to do business in the Dutch biomass market and make an important contribution towards decarbonisation of the energy sector”.

The SBP certification system underwent a rigorous benchmarking exercise and was found to meet the relevant sustainability and management criteria. The latter evaluating SBP’s processes and procedures against requirements on transparency and openness, decision-making, stakeholder engagement and expert knowledge.

SBP is now working with the Dutch regulator, RVO.nl, to ensure efficient and effective practical implementation of the requirements.

In July, SBP submitted a second application for benchmarking against the requirements for primary feedstock (biomass categories 1 to 4). A decision is not expected until the end of the year.

SBP Consults on Solution for Primary Feedstock Compliance with SDE+

SBP has considered the likely market demand for biomass produced from primary feedstock meeting the Netherlands SDE+ biomass sustainability requirements and has determined that there should be sufficient interest to merit an SBP solution. Accordingly, SBP has published Instruction Document 2D, which specifies the requirements for the evaluation and certification of Group Schemes for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the Netherlands’ requirements for primary biomass.

The Instruction Document has been approved by the SBP Stakeholder Committee, but in addition SBP is seeking the views of a wider range of stakeholders before allowing certification against its requirements.

Instruction Document 2D may be viewed at: https://sbp-cert.org/documents/consultation-documents/live-consultations. Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on Instruction Document 2D. All comments should be sent to info@sbp-cert.org by the close of business on Monday, 30 July 2018.

SBP Directorate Changes

SBP has today announced the appointment of Francis Sullivan as its independent, non-executive Chair, effective from 1 July 2018. The appointment marks the first step in the implementation of SBP’s new, multi-stakeholder governance model.

Francis, currently a Senior Adviser at HSBC Holdings plc, will replace Thomas Dalsgaard, Executive Vice President of Ørsted and CEO of Ørsted Energy Thermal Power, who has held the office of Chair since October 2016. Thomas will step down as an SBP director and Chair of the SBP Board coincident with Francis taking up his appointment.

Francis has a background in environmental science, specialising in forestry and land use, and spent the first 16 years of his career with WWF, the conservation organisation, in various leadership roles, during which time he played a major role in establishing the Forest Stewardship Council. He then moved to HSBC, the multinational bank, to lead its work on integrating sustainability and climate change mitigation perspectives into the business. After 14 years at HSBC, Francis brings with him a wealth of experience and understanding of delivering sustainability solutions in a commercial setting.

Commenting on his appointment, Francis Sullivan said: “I am delighted to be appointed as SBP’s first independent Chair. The transition SBP is making towards a multi-stakeholder governed organisation is in line with best practice as demonstrated by leading sustainability standards. It is a bold and positive step to balance environmental, social and commercial interests on the Board. I look forward to playing a full part in the implementation of the new arrangements to achieve SBP’s vision”.

Thomas Dalsgaard, who led the search and selection process, commented: “I am pleased that Francis has accepted the role of independent Chair. Francis’ strong background and experience make him well equipped to provide leadership to the SBP Board during the transformation to a multi-stakeholder organisation. I am confident that I shall be leaving SBP in safe and competent hands”.

SBP Temporarily Withdraws Application from Dutch SDE+ Subsidy Scheme Assessment Procedure

In August 2017, SBP submitted its certification system to the Dutch regulator for benchmarking against the requirements of the Dutch SDE+ subsidy scheme. ADBE, the Commission responsible for carrying out the benchmarking, has concluded their preliminary assessment. The assessment, whilst positive, identified several areas that would need to be addressed should SBP wish to achieve full compliance with the requirements of SDE+.

The assessment procedure was developed on the assumption that certification schemes would not be modified as a result of the findings. However, having received the preliminary assessment and considered its findings, SBP has taken the decision to modify its certification system to incorporate certain specific requirements of SDE+.

The nature of the assessment procedure means that SBP must first withdraw its current application and then make a new submission, which incorporates the necessary modifications. The new submission will focus on biomass produced from secondary feedstock only, with the aim of enabling the Dutch market to be supplied with biomass carrying an SBP claim. The modifications are not expected to have any material impact on companies in the supply chain.

In parallel, SBP will determine the market demand for biomass produced from primary feedstock, and should there be sufficient demand SBP will consider further modifications to meet the SDE+ requirements specific to primary feedstock.

The Dutch regulator has confirmed that, for the interim period, which is expected to run until the end of 2018, the SBP Chain of Custody system in combination with FSC and PEFC endorsed Forest Management claims, can be used to demonstrate compliance with the Dutch sustainability requirements.

DNV GL Business Assurance Finland Accredited for SBP Certification

DNV GL Business Assurance Finland Oy Ab (DNV GL) has become the fourth Certification Body to be accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) for SBP certification services.

ASI, the appointed accreditation body for the SBP certification system, has undertaken a thorough assessment of the processes and procedures in place at SCS and is satisfied that the accreditation requirements for the SBP certification system have been met. Further details and the accreditation certificate can be found at: http://www.accreditation-services.com/archives/certification_bodies/dnv-gl-business-assurance-finland-oy-ab.

The ASI accreditation process starts with a desk review of supporting documentation from the Certification Body, and is followed by an on-site head office assessment. The last stage is a witness assessment of a Certification Body audit. A recommendation decision is then submitted to the ASI Accreditation Committee, with the final accreditation decision taken by the ASI Managing Director.

Carsten Huljus, Chief Executive Officer of SBP, commented: “I congratulate DNV GL Business Assurance Finland on their achievement. There are now four Certification Bodies accredited for SBP certification, representing a solid foundation for our ongoing work with ASI and that of delivering assurance of quality certification”.

SBP Consultation on Final Draft Regional Risk Assessment for Portugal

SBP has today published the final draft Regional Risk Assessment for Portugal. Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on the draft.

Regional Risk Assessments are a key part of SBP’s focus on identifying and mitigating risks associated with sourcing feedstock for biomass wood pellet and woodchip production. The SBP certification system is designed to provide assurance that all feedstock is sourced legally and sustainably.

Feedstock certified at the forest level through FSC® or PEFC schemes and feedstock from recycled sources is automatically SBP-compliant. All other feedstock must be evaluated using a risk-based approach.

Typically, the Biomass Producer – a pellet or woodchip mill – is responsible for carrying out the risk assessment and putting in place mitigation measures to manage any specified risks such that they can be considered as controlled and hence low risk. It is the role of an independent, third-party Certification Body to check that the feedstock evaluation has been correctly undertaken.

The purpose of a Regional Risk Assessment is to evaluate an entire geographic region and determine the risks associated with sourcing feedstock for biomass wood pellet or woodchip production from that region. Thus, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided. Further, Regional Risk Assessments are particularly valuable where statutory protection for forested land is limited.

Carsten Huljus, SBP Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Identifying and managing any risks so as to prevent illegal and unsustainable feedstock entering the supply chain of biomass used in energy production is central to the role of SBP.

“We encourage interested parties to take part in the consultation”.

The final draft Regional Risk Assessment for Portugal may be viewed at: https://sbp-cert.org/documents/consultation-documents/draft-regional-risk-assessment-portugal.  Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on the final draft to info@sbp-cert.org by the close of business on Friday, 16 February 2018.

SCS Global Services Accredited for SBP Certification

SCS Global Services (SCS) has become the third Certification Body to be accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) for SBP certification services.

ASI, the appointed accreditation body for the SBP certification system, has undertaken a thorough assessment of the processes and procedures in place at SCS and is satisfied that the accreditation requirements for the SBP certification system have been met. Further details and the accreditation certificate can be found at: http://www.accreditation-services.com/archives/certification_bodies/scs-global-services-4.

The ASI accreditation process starts with a desk review of supporting documentation from the Certification Body, and is followed by an on-site head office assessment. The last stage is a witness assessment of a Certification Body audit. A recommendation decision is then submitted to the ASI Accreditation Committee, with the final accreditation decision taken by the ASI Managing Director.

Carsten Huljus, Chief Executive Officer of SBP, commented: “I congratulate SCS Global Services on their achievement. There are now three Certification Bodies accredited for SBP certification, which is an important step in SBP’s development and one that underpins the independent oversight of our certification system.”

Certification Bodies must become accredited by ASI if they wish to provide SBP certification services to their clients and prospective clients from 1 January 2018. The requirement applies to all Certification Bodies, including those that are currently SBP-approved.

Control Union Certifications Accredited for SBP Certification

Control Union Certifications BV (CUC) has become the second Certification Body to be accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) for SBP certification services.

ASI, the appointed accreditation body for the SBP certification system, has undertaken a thorough assessment of the processes and procedures in place at CUC and is satisfied that the accreditation requirements for the SBP certification system have been met. Further details and the accreditation certificate can be found at: http://www.accreditation-services.com/archives/certification_bodies/control-union-certifications-b-v-5.

The ASI accreditation process starts with a desk review of supporting documentation from the Certification Body, and is followed by an on-site head office assessment. The last stage is a witness assessment of a Certification Body audit. A recommendation decision is then submitted to the ASI Accreditation Committee, with the final accreditation decision taken by the ASI Managing Director.

Carsten Huljus, Chief Executive Officer of SBP, commented: “The accreditation process introduces an important level of independent, third-party oversight, bringing SBP into line with other, well-recognised certification systems. I congratulate Control Union Certifications on their achievement.”

Certification Bodies must become accredited by ASI if they wish to provide SBP certification services to their clients and prospective clients from 1 January 2018. The requirement applies to all Certification Bodies, including those that are currently SBP-approved.

NEPCon Accredited for SBP Certification

NEPCon has become the first Certification Body to be accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI) for SBP certification services.

ASI, the appointed accreditation body for the SBP certification system, has undertaken a thorough assessment of the processes and procedures in place at NEPCon and is satisfied that the accreditation requirements for the SBP certification system have been met.

The ASI accreditation process starts with a desk review of supporting documentation from the Certification Body, and is followed by an on-site head office assessment. The last stage is a witness assessment of a Certification Body audit. A recommendation decision is then submitted to the ASI Accreditation Committee, with the final accreditation decision taken by the ASI Managing Director.

Carsten Huljus, Chief Executive Officer of SBP, commented: “The accreditation process introduces an important level of independent, third-party oversight, bringing SBP into line with other, well-recognised certification systems. I congratulate NEPCon on their achievement.”

Certification Bodies must become accredited by ASI if they wish to provide SBP certification services to their clients and prospective clients from 1 January 2018. The requirement applies to all Certification Bodies, including those that are currently SBP-approved.