Skip to content

SURE certification

With SURE certification from TÜV NORD CERT, you fulfil the RED III requirements and ensure sustainable supply chains.

Sure Logo

Voluntary certification for sustainable biomass production

We humans consume a lot of energy with our way of life and the need for a sustainable energy supply is growing for a variety of reasons. The Renewable Energy Directive RED III (EU) 2023/2413 also takes this into account. However, this has not yet been transposed into national law in Germany.

It can be assumed that the production of bioenergy will increase as a result. The Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme (SURE) serves to standardise and objectively verify the sustainability criteria for bioenergy that apply under RED III. SURE verifies the production of forestry and agricultural biomass as well as residual and waste materials from solid and gaseous biomass for the generation of electricity, heating and cooling. The criteria apply throughout Europe and ensure transparency and legal certainty. As an accredited testing centre, TÜV NORD CERT has the best possible expertise to carry out certifications according to SURE.

If you have any questions about SURE certification, please contact us!

Who is SURE certification intended for?

RED III is accompanied by extensive sustainability requirements. According to the directive, economic operators are obliged to document and provide evidence of the entire production and supply chain, from the cultivation of biomass to its conversion into electricity and heat generation plants, in a transparent and traceable manner. This applies to solid as well as liquid and gaseous biomass.

The following economic operators are involved along the entire supply chain:

  • Producers of agricultural and forestry biomass
  • Producers of waste and residues from biomass
  • First gathering points for agricultural or forestry biomass and collectors of waste and residues
  • Operators of biomass conversion plants

Your advantages with SURE certification from TÜV NORD

  • Legal certainty in accordance with EU Directive RED III (2023/2413)
  • Access to the bioenergy market
  • Entitlement to subsidies such as the EEG levy
  • Transparency through independent audits
  • Recognising opportunities for improvement
  • Taking personal responsibility for sustainability
  • Promoting sustainable production and utilisation of renewable raw material sources
  • Contribution to SDG/UN goal no. 17 "Renewable energies"
Ein biochemisches Industrieanlagenwerk mit Reihen von Silos im Vordergrund

What changes does RED III include?

The RED III Renewable Energy Directive further tightens the sustainability requirements for bioenergy. Existing RED II certificates remain valid; at the same time, economic operators must gradually implement the new RED III requirements for existing plants by 31 December 2030. The review will take place as part of recertification or surveillance audits.

One major innovation is the extension of the greenhouse gas reduction requirements to existing installations. Depending on the type of plant, output and year of commissioning, existing biomass and biogas plants will also have to demonstrate reductions of 70 % and 80 % respectively in future. All actors in the supply chain must be included in the GHG accounting. The national implementations of RED III are always decisive, as only these are legally binding in the SURE system.

Forest biomass is particularly affected. RED III introduces so-called "no-go areas", excludes certain types of land from biomass production and requires additional declarations of assurance. The group certification approach remains possible under certain conditions.

The sustainability requirements are also extended for agricultural biomass, particularly with regard to land protection and biodiversity. However, there are no additional requirements for waste and residues.

This is how your SURE audit works

1

01

Enquiry & examination of readiness for certification

2

02

Quotation preparation

3

03

Commissioning TÜV NORD

4

04

Audit planning

5

05

Audit performance

6

06

Audit report and issue of certificate

Frequently asked questions

Since 1 January 2022, electricity has only been remunerated in accordance with the EEG if it was generated from certified sustainable biomass.

In order to be certified under SURE, economic operators must do the following:

  1. Conclude a SURE-EU scheme contract
  2. Commission an independent recognised certification body such as TÜV NORD CERT with certification in accordance with RED III
  3. Apply for an extension of the deadline (information on this can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)
  4. Self-declaration regarding insufficient authorised auditors available on the market.

After the certificate has been issued, biogas plant operators are obliged to register in the Nabisy (Sustainable Biomass System) and enter their data in accordance with the requirements of the BioSt-NachV.

  • Self-declaration of fulfilment of the RED III sustainability criteria by the biomass cultivation company and the companies producing waste and residues
  • Supply documentation on the quantity of biomass supplied for the generation of electricity and heat
  • Substrate-specific mass balancing for each site
  • Greenhouse gas balancing for plants, provided they were commissioned after 1 January 2021

In future, more and more sustainably produced bioenergy will be needed to cover energy requirements. SURE certification makes it easier for biogas plants to access the EU electricity and heating grids. Proven sustainable energies also receive subsidies such as remuneration under the EEG.

Contact us

Want to learn more about a specific topic? Send us a message!
Competent, international, independent

About TÜV NORD CERT

TÜV NORD CERT is an internationally recognised and reliable partner for testing and certification services. Our experts and auditors have in-depth knowledge and are always permanently employed by TÜV NORD. This guarantees independence and neutrality as well as continuity in the support of our clientele. The advantage for you is obvious: Our auditors accompany and support the development of your company and provide you with objective feedback.

You may also be interested in these services

Verification

Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint measures the CO₂ emissions caused by companies or products.
Find out more about our carbon footprint verification
Certification

ISCC PLUS and REDcert2

Certifying sustainable raw materials - with ISCC PLUS and REDcert²
Learn more about ISCC PLUS and REDcert2
Validation and verification

Climate protection projects

Reduce emissions and generate CO₂ certificates through climate protection projects.
Find out more about our climate protection projects