THE RSB STANDARD

Globally, the demand for bio-based and recycled resources to feed a circular economy is growing and it is key that this growth is anchored in real, credible sustainability. The RSB Standard is anchored in 12 sustainability principles, and their underlying criteria, that have been developed to ensure that we address the key environmental and social issues surrounding the use of fuels and products made from bio-based and advanced feedstocks.

The RSB Standard provides solutions to all types of producer, processor, supplier and end-user in all contexts. To ensure the ultimate simplicity of these solutions, a risk-based approach and screening exercise means that operators only need to comply with the risks that apply to them in their specific regional and production context.

WHAT THE RSB STANDARD COVERS

The RSB Standard can be applied to fuels, biomass and material products from bio-based and recycled carbon, including fossil waste.

  • Bio-based Feedstocks
  • Biofuel
  • Advanced Fuel
  • Bio-based & Advanced Products
  • Complete Supply Chains
  • Novel Biomass & Biomaterial Technologies

  • Bio-based Feedstocks

    Bio-based feedstocks can include:

    corn starch, soy, palm, canola, sugar beet, sugar cane, algae, municipal solid waste, agricultural residues and industrial waste and residues.

  • Biofuel

    The production of biofuels, most often bioethanol and biodiesel, is covered by the RSB Standard. Biofuels are produced from biogenic sources such as:

    • Sugar crops (sugar cane, beet, sweet sorghum)
    • Starch crops (corn, wheat, sweet potatoes, cassava)
    • Lignocellulose (plant matter such as grass, agricultural and forestry residues – often called cellulosic biomass)
    • Natural oils (lipids, oils, natural and animal fats)

  • Advanced Fuel

    Our approach to advanced fuels covers fuels produced from fossil-based waste and residue materials and electricity pathways that may not include biogenic feedstocks. Advanced Fuels are:

    • Biofuels from end-of-life products, by-products and residues (biogenic)
    • Waste-based fossil fuels
    • Renewable liquid and gaseous fuels of non-biological origin

  • Bio-based & Advanced Products

    Bio-based products are derived from material of biological origin produced through agricultural processes and forestry, as well as by-products and residues from biogenic and non-biogenic sources, including recycled carbon. All such bio-based and advanced products and by-products can be certified under the RSB Standard.

  • Complete Supply Chains

    The RSB Standard allows for the certification of complete supply chains involved in the cultivation, processing, trade, transport, blending and other production of any biomass-derived or advanced material or fuel.

  • Novel Biomass & Biomaterial Technologies

    Our Standard enables the certification of new and novel biomaterial or advanced technologies – including novel feedstocks, products and processing techniques.

12 Principles

Recognised widely as the most trusted and credible approach for growing a truly sustainable transition to a net zero carbon economy and having been developed by a multi-stakeholder group of industry, NGOs, civil society and governments, the RSB Standard provides peace of mind and security through its practical solutions for anyone creating fuels or products.

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Getting Certified

To ensure the applicability of its powerful Standard, RSB has developed specific certification solutions for every context – regardless of operator type, location, supply chain type, feedstock or final product.

These certification solutions provide guidance and rules for the implementation of the RSB Standard in any situation – supporting an incredibly diverse group of operators to make truly credible claims.

  • RSB Global Fuel Certification
  • RSB EU RED Fuel Certification
  • RSB Certification for Global Advanced Products
  • RSB Certification for Smallholder Groups
  • RSB Japan FIT Certification

  • RSB’s Global Fuel Certification is for use by biomass producers, fuel producers, traders, processors and transporters in any region of the world – excluding those who wish to trade in the EU regulated market (if you are within the EU or seeking to trade with it, please use our RSB EU RED Fuel Solution).

    Learn More

  • This solution has been designed for fuel producers, traders, processors and transporters working within, or trading with, the European Union. It is recognised by the European Commission to prove compliance with the requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), as well as with the RSB’s stringent sustainability principles.

    Learn More

  • This solution is for use by biomass producers, product manufacturers, traders, processors and transporters in any region of the world.

    Learn More

  • RSB Certification for Smallholder Groups is designed to support smallholders (areas <75 hectares) to access third-party certification by reducing economic barriers that might prevent small scale farmers from demonstrating compliance with sustainability criteria. The certified smallholder groups can supply RSB biomass to fuels and/or any bio-based product processor.

    Learn More

  • RSB Japan FIT Certification

    The RSB Japan FIT Certification solution is applicable to operators producing, processing and trading biomass, including vegetable oils, residues and end-of-life products destined for use for power generation in Japan. RSB’s Japan FIT Certification is for use by operators producing, procuring and importing biomass into Japan under Japan’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) system.

    Learn More

RSB Low ILUC Risk Biomass module

A special Low ILUC module is available as an add on to any of these solutions for operators wishing to demonstrate that they are at low risk of causing indirect land use change.

Learn More

RSB Global Standard

To ensure universal applicability, RSB has produced regulatory standards, adaptations and voluntary modules to support operators in different contexts to demonstrate compliance with the best-in-class sustainability outlined in RSB’s 12 Principles & Criteria.

RSB Standard

Applicable

The RSB Standard is global, and applicable to all advanced feedstocks.

The RSB Standard can be applied to all bio-based/advanced materials – including all fuels and products.

The RSB Standard can be applied to different parts of the supply chain – or the entire supply chain.

The RSB Standard is widely recognised by regulatory authorities in Europe, the US and elsewhere, allowing RSB-certified products swift approval and preferential market access.

RSB Standard

Accessible

The RSB Standard is designed with industry stakeholders to ensure its practicality. It is regularly updated to reflect the evolution of the sector.

The RSB Standard is applied via a user-friendly certification scheme that uses a risk-based approach to simplify certification.

The RSB Standard is accompanied by comprehensive guidance documents, developed by technical experts to help achieve sustainability in an efficient way.

RSB Standard

Best-in-Class

The RSB Standard is based on a full set of principles and criteria covering all crucial sustainability issues. 

Selecting certification to the RSB Standard demonstrates genuine commitment to the future of ethical, sustainable and credibly-sourced biomaterials, and ensures your sustainability scheme meets global challenges including climate, biodiversity, hunger and poverty.

The RSB is a full ISEAL member, and RSB complies with all of ISEAL’s rigorous and internationally recognised codes.