Q&As: SBP Standards v2.1
Questions on the SBP Standards v2.1 submitted by stakeholders are collated below along with our answers.
We encourage you to continue to submit any questions you may have, please email info@sbp-cert.org.
Q: What does SBP certification achieve that cannot be achieved through existing certification schemes, such as, FSC and PEFC?
A: SBP does not intend to compete with or replicate existing certification schemes, such as, FSC and PEFC. Those schemes do not cover all the key requirements necessary to demonstrate the legality and sustainability aspects and attributes of feedstock used in biomass production and use. SBP will publish its procedure for benchmarking and recognition of other certification schemes, which will allow FSC and PEFC to be evaluated against the SBP certification scheme.
Q: How will FSC-certified material be treated under the SBP Standards v2.1?
A: The SBP procedure for benchmarking and recognition of other certification schemes will set out how other certification schemes may be benchmarked or recognised with respect to the SBP certification scheme. For example, in the case of FSC, the procedure will allow identification of any gaps between FSC and SBP requirements. Where there is a gap, and where a specified risk has been identified in the supply base, operators are required to develop and implement mitigation measures.
Q: Will there still be an SBP-controlled biomass claim?
A: The SBP-controlled biomass claim continues to exist. It is available to feedstock that is certified against a recognised controlled claim, for example, FSC Controlled Wood.
Q: Is biomass certified against SBP Standards v2.0 only entitled to carry the SBP claim until the end of the transition period?
A: No. Biomass certified against SBP Standards v2.0 before the end of the transition period is entitled to carry the SBP claim beyond the end of the transition period.
Q: Is there a difference between SBP-certified claims under v2.0 and v2.1?
A: No, there is no difference.
Q: Could a mobile chipper use the mass balance system and mix different feedstock groups if accumulated in storage yards?
A: One condition for the mass balance system is to have a fixed site. If mixing occurs at a fixed storage site (e.g.,a storage yard), it is possible to mix different feedstocks and apply the mass balance system following the requirements set out in Standard 4.
Q: In SBP Standard 4, section 4.8 what is the definition of ‘material status’? What type of material needs to be kept separate?
A: Material status refers to the certification status of the material. Compliant/controlled material or material with no claim need to be segregated.
Q: If a Certificate Holder wants to create more than nine Product Group IDs, can the system support a three-digit Product Group?
A: Yes, you can use a three-digit Product Group ID (for example, 111, 112).
Q: How should bark removed from trees at a sawmill be categorised?
A: Bark should be categorised as processing residues if the processing takes place at the sawmill.
Q: In situations where there is an official SBP RRA or REDIII Level A risk assessment and ALL Indicators are designated Low Risk, is a Biomass Producer required to consult with stakeholders?
A: No. The purpose of stakeholder consultation is to collect feedback on Supply Base Verifiers, Risk Ratings and the Risk Management Plan developed by the Biomass Producer (Standard 2 v2.1, Indicator 8.1). Where there is an SBP RRA or REDIII Level A risk assessment, and Low Risk designations for ALL Indicators, there is no need for further stakeholder consultation. Stakeholders may contact SBP directly if they have any comments regarding the contents or risk designations of SBP RRAs or REDIII Level A risk assessments.
Q: Which of the SBP Standards should End-users be certified against if they wish to be SBP EU RED-compliant?
A: End-users seeking compliance with SBP EU RED shall be certified against Standard 4, Standard 5 and Instruction Document EU RED. Certification against Standard 6 remains optional.
Q: Is compliance with SBP EU RED required across all SBP-certified biomass or just for biomass that is destined for a REDIII market?
A: SBP EU RED compliance is mandatory for all Certificate Holders irrespective of the market destination of the biomass they produce.
Q: Is compliance with SBP EU RED obligatory at all times?
A: Yes, compliance with the SBP EU RED requirements is mandatory for all Certificate Holders.
Q: Is the EU RED mass balance reporting period still under discussion?
A: No, the European Commission has clarified the rule for the mass balance period. Only Biomass Producers that use EXCLUSIVELY primary feedstock can use a mass balance period of up to a maximum of 12 months, others have to use up to a maximum of three months. See Indicator 4.14 from SBP Standard 4 v2.1.
Q: Can the SBP EU RED-compliant claim be passed on to organisations that are not SBP Certificate Holders?
A: Yes, an SBP-certified Certificate Holder can register a DTS transaction as sold to non-SBP-certified company and extract the PDF confirmation document from the DTS to share evidence of compliance with that company via other channels (e.g., e-mail).
Q: Do the SBP Standards v2.1 incorporate the REDIII requirements, effectively doing away with the Instruction Document EU RED?
A: No, the revised SBP Standards v2.1 do not replace Instruction Document EU RED. Certificate Holders must comply with the requirements of the SBP Standards v2.1 and Instruction Document EU RED.
Q: EU RED requires that certification schemes must accept claims from other approved certification schemes. How does SBP address this?
A: SBP is required to accept EU RED claims from peer certification schemes. In SBP system we call these claims “EU RED-only” claims. When receiving biomass with an EU RED-only claim, the Organisation shall verify the current certification status of its suppliers by checking the relevant certification scheme database and shall obtain documented evidence of a formal EU RED compliance (e.g., a reference to the compliance with the sustainability criteria under the Renewable Energy Directive EU/2023/2413 in purchase invoice). Additionally, when receiving biomass as EU RED-only, the Organisation shall obtain a Proof of Sustainability (POS) document from supplying certified organisation.
Q: If a share of the feedstock used by a Biomass Producer is not EU RED-compliant, does that mean the Biomass Producer cannot be SBP-certified?
A: The Biomass Producer can be certified; however, the biomass produced from non-RED compliant feedstock cannot carry an SBP claim.
Q: If segregation of feedstock and/or biomass is ensured as per the Standards, can a Biomass Producer be SBP-certified and sell SBP/RED compliant biomass and non-certified biomass?
A: Yes.
Q: Harvest operations in a single area can often include different types of trees outside forests. Does SBP require classification according to the main type or each type?
A: It is required to subdivide for each type as per the Feedstock Group classification, especially as this has implications for mass balance reporting.
Q: Should applicant Certificate Holders be certified against the revised SBP Standards v2.1?
A: From the effective date of the SBP Standards v2.1 (29 July 2026), applicant Certificate Holders can choose to become certified against them. The choice is dependent on the applicant’s own circumstances. Note that from 28 October 2027, all Certificate Holders must be compliant with the SBP Standards v2.1.
Q: When will the SBP Standards v2.1 be ready for use by Certification Bodies?
A: The SBP Standards v2.1 will be ready for use from the effective date of 29 July 2026. Certification Bodies will need to have updated their internal systems and have their updated internal systems approved by the Accreditation Body. It is recommended that Certificate Holders liaise with their Certification Body to confirm timelines.
Q: Will the SBP Audit Portal and Data Transfer System (DTS) be affected by the switch to the revised SBP Standards v2.1?
A: The Audit Portal and DTS will be updated to meet the requirements of the revised SBP Standards v2.1. During the transition period all SBP systems will cater for both v2.0 and v2.1 of the Standards.
Q: Is it possible for Organisations to have major and minor non-conformities when audited against the SBP Standards v2.1, but still be considered to have transitioned to v2.1?
A: Yes, Organisations are allowed to have major and minor non-conformances during the transition audit. To meet the transition deadline of 28 October 2027, an audit shall be completed and a Public Summary Report (PSR) shall be uploaded to SBP website. Any non-conformances shall be closed within their respective timelines.
