Certified sustainable biomass one step closer

Major reason to establish the NTA 8080 is to have a broadly supported standard with verifiable sustainability requirements. The use of biomass plays an important role in the energy transition, also in view of climate change and security of energy supply. Dutch organizations would like to use biomass, but want to demonstrate that the biomass is sustainably produced. The so-called Cramer criteria are considered as minimum level of sustainability. These Cramer criteria are translated into verifiable requirements in the NTA 8080. An organization can prove by means of certification that the biomass used has been sustainably produced.

NEN is also asked to facilitate the certification process by taking care of developing and owning the certification scheme. The diversely composed working group is now working on the certification scheme. This scheme includes the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’t’s of certification, like the conditions to issue certificates by certifying bodies ('minor' and 'major' non-conformities), the qualifications of an audit team, and the minimum efforts an audit team has to provide. The aim is to have a certification scheme as the foundation for NTA 8080 certification after the summer.

Next, preparations are made to start up a number of pilots in which the necessary practical experience with NTA 8080 can be gained. Besides the certification scheme, the NTA 8080 will also be brought forward in the European standardization work of CEN/TC 383 “Sustainably produced biomass for energy applications”. A formal English version of the NTA 8080 is on its way.