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ISCC CORSIA

The internationally recognized ISCC CORSIA certification allows airlines and fuel producers to prove their Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are responsibly sourced, fully traceable, and compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.

ISCC Corsia

    What is ISCC CORSIA?

    ISCC CORSIA is a voluntary certification scheme which sits alongside a wider selection of standards administered by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) system. The ISCC CORSIA certificate specifically allows businesses in the aviation industry and across the wider supply chain to demonstrate their commitment to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    The ISCC CORSIA standard requires Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) producers, suppliers, and distributors to meet strict sustainability criteria relating to:

    • Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
    • Prohibiting the use of land with high biodiversity to create biomass
    • Traceability of the entire supply chain
    • Feedstock eligibility for SAF, including waste, residues, and some agricultural raw materials

    To date*, more than 500 ISCC CORSIA certificates have been issued, with uptake accelerating as organizations across the aviation supply chain adopt certified SAF to meet regulatory and market expectations.

     

    Become ISCC Corsia-certified

    The Benefits of Becoming ISCC CORSIA-Certified

    Beyond ensuring regulatory compliance, ISCC CORSIA-certified companies experience a range of wider benefits, including:

    • Verified Sustainability and Waste Reduction

      The ISCC CORSIA program requires that the certificate holder’s SAF is produced from sustainable sources, that they are reducing waste sent to landfill, and that they are preventing the use of biomass from high-biodiversity or high-carbon areas. In meeting the robust criteria of the ISCC CORSIA standard, you will have the evidence and management system to fortify your sustainability claims in these areas.

    • Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

      To meet ISCC CORSIA’s strict requirements, the SAF produced must demonstrate lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. Working toward the common goal of reducing overall industry emissions, you can help build a greener future for aviation and stay competitive in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.

    • Traceability and Chain of Custody

      The ISCC CORSIA certification requires full traceability and a clear chain of custody throughout the supply chain. Therefore, from origin to end use, becoming ISCC CORSIA certified provides you with an audit trail that protects you against legal, financial, and reputational risk.

    Eligible Fuels under ISCC CORSIA

    Many feedstocks used to make aviation fuels are deemed eligible for CORSIA certification. These are grouped into waste, residues, and by-products.

    It is at ICAO’s discretion to determine which materials fall into each category, and the organization publishes a “positive list” that is publicly available and regularly updated. This list includes:

    Agricultural residues (e.g. corn cobs, husks, manure) Forestry residues (e.g. bark, leaves, needles) Processing residues (e.g. crude glycerine, crude tall oil (CTO)) Waste (e.g. municipal solid waste (MSW), used cooking oil (UCO)) By-Products (e.g. tallow, technical corn oil, etc.)

    Though already wide-ranging, the list is not exhaustive and may include other materials deemed appropriate by ICAO for use as sustainable aviation fuel now or in the future.  

    Speak to our ISCC CORSIA audit experts Go to Positive list
    ISCC CORSIA Certification for Sustainable Aviation

    ISCC CORSIA vs ISCC EU

    ISCC manages several certification standards across various sectors and international markets. Among them, ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU are the most compared. The key differences between these two certification systems are:

    • Regulatory Scope

      ISCC EU is designed to support companies in complying with the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), while ISCC CORSIA is a CORSIA-approved sustainability certification scheme that is specific to the aviation industry and the ICAO regulations it adheres to.

    • Eligible Materials

      Where ISCC EU certifies a much broader range of feedstocks, ISCC CORSIA is aviation-specific and only raw materials, waste, residues, and by-products that can be made into SAF are considered eligible for ISCC CORSIA certification.

      Though ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU are distinct certifications, many businesses (such as refineries and traders) seek certification under both systems to ensure compliance with ICAO regulations within the aviation industry supply chain while maintaining access to the EU market.

    Becoming ISCC CORSIA Certified

    Before your business can become certified under ISCC CORSIA, five stages must be completed.

    Stage 1 – Securing a Contract with an ISCC CORSIA Approved Auditor

    You must engage an ISCC CORSIA-approved auditor, such as Control Union, to conduct your external audit. A signed contract with your chosen certification body will be required to move on to the next stage.

    Stage 2 – Registration with ISCC HUB

    Once an ISCC CORSIA-approved auditor has been contracted, you must register directly with ISCC HUB. The HUB provides you with a password-protected client section where you can submit your details for review and download your ISCC CORSIA certificate once it is issued.

    Stage 3 – Audit Preparation

    Preparing for your ISCC CORSIA audit includes establishing or reviewing your sustainable management system. This system should keep track of your raw material sourcing, chain of custody documentation, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data, traceability records, supplier declarations, risk assessments, and compliance with the ISCC CORSIA sustainability criteria.

    Stage 4 – External Audit Conducted by ISCC CORSIA Auditor

    Your ISCC CORSIA Auditor will issue you with a timeline for your audit so that you know how much time you have to prepare. The mandatory on-site assessment will verify your compliance with ISCC CORSIA’s criteria, and an audit report will be compiled.

    Stage 5 – Certificate Issued

    If there are no non-conformities to address, your ISCC CORSIA certificate will be issued to you via the ISCC HUB. Your certification status will also be published on the ISCC website via the searchable certification database page. Certificates are valid for one year, and, if you choose to become re-certified, you should arrange your next audit approximately ten months after your first certificate is issued to maintain your sustainability claims.

    ISCC CORSIA: Frequently Asked Questions

    Apply for ISCC CORSIA Certification

    ISCC CORSIA is an internationally recognized standard for certifying the sustainability of materials used for aviation fuels. It is managed by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and aligns with current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) criteria for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) eligibility.

    The ISCC CORSIA certification verifies the sustainability of various materials, including agricultural residues, forestry residues, processing residues, waste, and by-products. The full “positive list” is published by ICAO.

    Becoming ISCC CORSIA certified requires a five-stage process: securing a contract with an ISCC CORSIA-approved auditor, registering with ISCC HUB, preparing for your audit, conducting the audit, and having your certificate issued.

    The main difference is regulatory scope. The ISCC EU aligns with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), while ISCC CORSIA allows certified companies to comply with ICAO regulations specific to the aviation industry.

    Holding the ISCC CORSIA certification demonstrates that your entire supply chain meets strict sustainability criteria. By having an ISCC CORSIA-compliant chain of custody, your customers and the regulator can be assured that you uphold the highest standards of traceability and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

    To become ISCC CORSIA certified, you will need an independent auditor who can verify your processes against the standard’s robust criteria. With decades of certification experience and offices across the globe, our expert auditors deliver a thorough, impartial assessment of your business so that you can add proof to your promise.

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