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ISCC CORSIA certification: Reliable verification of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)

ISCC CORSIA certifies sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the ICAO CORSIA system. TÜV NORD CERT checks sustainability, traceability and greenhouse gas reduction along the supply chain.

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ISCC CORSIA: Verification of GHG inventories for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)

What is ISCC CORSIA?

The aviation industry worldwide is faced with the task of reducing its CO₂ emissions. With CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), the ICAO has created a global mechanism that obliges airlines to offset emissions and use sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plays a central role in this: it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves fossil resources and contributes directly to the decarbonisation of aviation.

ISCC CORSIA is one of the leading certification systems that verifies the sustainability of SAF and bio-based aviation fuels according to clearly defined criteria.
It is recognised by the ICAO and established internationally.

Who is ISCC CORSIA certification suitable for?

The certification is aimed at all companies along the SAF supply chain that have to demonstrate sustainability requirements:

  • SAF producers
  • refineries
  • Dealers / traders
  • Logistics and transport companies
  • Raw material suppliers (e.g. vegetable oils, sugar cane, residual materials)
  • Companies that have to document greenhouse gas emissions transparently

Your advantages with TÜV NORD and ISCC CORSIA certification

With a successful ISCC CORSIA certification, companies demonstrate the sustainability, traceability and greenhouse gas reduction (LCA) of their Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in the ICAO CORSIA system. The system is recognised by the ICAO and provides an internationally established, reliable framework for SAF verification along global supply chains.

This provides you and your market partners with clear advantages:

  • Independent & notified third-party audit: As a neutral certification body, TÜV NORD CERT carries out audits in accordance with the official ISCC audit procedures. Verified sustainability and GHG data (LCA) create trust among customers, investors and authorities.
  • Transparent supply chains: Complete proof of origin, quantity flows (traceability & mass balance) and traceability of your SAF value chain.
  • Recognition in air traffic: ICAO recognition enables classification as "CORSIA-eligible fuels" and strengthens acceptance among airlines, producers and traders.
Contact form for ISCC CORSIA
  • Market access & competitive advantage: Certified SAFs (including from waste, residues, RFNBOs) open up new markets and contracts in the international environment.
  • Risk minimisation & compliance security: Independent audits by TÜV NORD CERT reduce regulatory risks and ensure compliant processes.
  • Efficient audit process: Procedure analogue to established ISCC modules (ISCC procedures) - from scoping to document review to random samples/interviews - for rapid certificate issuance with good preparation.

How your ISCC CORSIA certification works

01

Enquiry & quotation

We will provide you with a quote based on the information provided.

02

Order placement & scheduling

Once you have commissioned us, we work together to draw up a schedule for the audit.

03

On-site audit

We audit sustainability, traceability, mass balance, LCA/THG data and QM processes in accordance with ISCC Audit Procedures.

04

Audit report & certificate issue

After successfully passing the exam, you will receive your ISCC CORSIA certificate, which is valid for 1 year.

Frequently asked questions

SAF from waste, biogenic residues and RFNBOs (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) can be certified. These categories are expressly authorised by ICAO as sustainable input materials for CORSIA-compliant fuels.

The audit assesses the fulfilment of all CORSIA criteria, including

  • Sustainability requirements (environmental, social)
  • Traceability & mass balance along the supply chain
  • Greenhouse gas and LCA calculations
  • Process & quality management
  • Evidence of SAF raw materials (waste, residues, RFNBOs)
  • Risk analyses, interviews & random samples

Relevant companies are: SAF producers, refineries, traders, warehouse keepers, co-processing plants and logistics companies that produce, trade or use CORSIA-eligible fuels or require sustainability claims for SAF.

Typical documents are

  • Supply chain & quantity data (mass balance)
  • GHG/LCA certificates
  • QM documentation
  • Evidence of SAF inputs (waste, residues, RFNBOs)
  • Process descriptions, internal audits, corrective actions

Once all the data is complete, certification can be finalised within a few weeks. The duration depends primarily on the level of preparation and the complexity of the supply chain.

Yes, ISCC CORSIA is officially recognised by the ICAO and is used worldwide as a reliable system for the certification of sustainable aviation fuels. It is a central component of the international SAF verification system.

International aviation must reduce emissions. CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) is the ICAO instrument that obliges airlines to offset emissions through offsetting and/or the use of sustainable fuels. ISCC CORSIA provides the recognised certification framework for this.

ICAO CORSIA sets out binding rules for international airlines on monitoring, reporting and offsetting CO₂ emissions. These obligations depend on the respective CORSIA phase:

Phases and offsetting obligations

  • Pilot phase (2021-2023) - voluntary: offsetting of emissions above the level of 2019 or the previous year, but only for flights between participating countries
  • Phase 1 (2024-2026) - voluntary: airlines offset growth-related emissions above 85% of the 2019 base year. An annual phase-out is possible.
  • Phase 2 (2027-2035) - mandatory: airlines with more than 0.5% global RTK (revenue tonne kilometre) must apply CORSIA in full; coverage should include at least 90% of global air traffic. Exceptions apply to small developing countries.

Annual reporting and compensation deadlines

Airlines must:

  • report their emissions by 31 May of the following year (for example, emissions from 2025 must be reported by May 2026),
  • submit offsets by 31 October,
  • submit the final reports to the respective countries by 30 November.

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About TÜV NORD CERT

TÜV NORD CERT is an internationally recognised testing and certification service provider. We assess and certify the fulfilment of legal requirements and voluntary standards worldwide. Our auditors are experts in their field and work with a standardised methodology. This allows us to guarantee you neutrality, independence and continuous support.