What is ISCC CORSIA Certification

&

How to Get Certified?

Executive Summary

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA

a globally recognized certification system ensuring the sustainability and traceability of feedstocks and fuels in the aviation industry. Officially recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), it aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation.

Importance for Sustainable Aviation and Biofuel Industries

  • Helps aviation sector lower carbon emissions by using verified sustainable fuels.

  • Enables biofuel producers to enter aviation markets through clear sustainability standards.

  • Supports global efforts to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint.

For Businesses and Biofuel Producers:

  • Market Access: Certification opens opportunities in markets that require or prefer sustainably certified fuels, potentially leading to increased sales and partnerships.

  • Competitive Advantage: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can differentiate companies in a competitive market, attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.

For Airlines:

  • Regulatory Compliance: Using ISCC CORSIA-certified Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) helps airlines meet international regulatory requirements, such as those set by ICAO, potentially reducing the need for carbon offset purchases.

  • Brand Reputation: Adopting certified sustainable fuels enhances an airline’s reputation as an environmentally responsible operator, improving customer loyalty and brand value.

For Environmental Sustainability:

  • GHG Emission Reduction: Certified SAFs can significantly lower lifecycle GHG emissions, contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

  • Resource Conservation: Promotes the use of waste materials and non-food biomass for fuel production, reducing pressure on food resources and land use.

ISCC CORSIA Certification Framework

ISCC CORSIA Certification Framework

A comprehensive structure to verify sustainable aviation fuels meet both CORSIA sustainability criteria and ISCC tracking systems

1

Sustainability Requirements

Core environmental and social criteria

  • Minimum GHG emission reduction thresholds (at least 10% compared to fossil fuels)
  • Land use criteria (prohibition of using high carbon stock lands)
  • Biodiversity protection measures
  • Social sustainability standards
  • Good management practices requirements
2

Chain of Custody Systems

Ensuring complete traceability

  • Mass balance tracking methodology
  • Documentation requirements throughout supply chain
  • Material accounting systems
  • Transfer of sustainability characteristics between supply chain entities
3

GHG Calculation Methodology

Standardized emissions assessment

  • Life cycle assessment approach
  • Standardized calculation methods aligned with CORSIA
  • Default and actual value options
  • Emission allocation rules for co-products
  • Transportation and processing emissions accounting
4

Verification Procedures

Independent assessment processes

  • Third-party auditing requirements
  • Risk-based assessment approach
  • On-site inspection protocols
  • Documentation review processes
  • Non-conformity handling procedures
5

Certification Process

From application to certification

  • Application and registration steps
  • Initial certification requirements
  • Annual surveillance audits
  • Certificate renewal procedures
  • Multi-site certification options

Implementation Mechanisms

The framework is implemented through the following key mechanisms that ensure consistency, credibility, and continuous improvement:

Independent Certification

Accredited independent certification bodies perform rigorous audits to verify compliance with all requirements.

Certificate Issuance

ISCC issues certificates based on successful audits, providing formal recognition of compliance with sustainability criteria.

Stakeholder Consultation

Consultation mechanisms with diverse stakeholders ensure the standard continues to improve and adapt to emerging needs.

Regular Updates

The framework undergoes regular updates to align with evolving ICAO requirements and international best practices.

Training & Capacity Building

Comprehensive training and capacity building programs support supply chain participants in meeting certification requirements.

This comprehensive framework provides the structure and mechanisms to verify that sustainable aviation fuels meet both the sustainability criteria required by CORSIA and the robust tracking systems developed by ISCC, ensuring genuine environmental benefits and regulatory compliance throughout the entire supply chain.

Traceability Through the Entire Supply Chain:

Step-by-Step Tracking

  • Documentation of sustainable land use practices

  • Verification that land wasn't converted from high carbon stock areas

  • Records of farming inputs, practices, and harvest yields

  • Initial sustainability declaration and GHG emissions data

  • Collection of biomass from multiple farms

  • Verification of incoming sustainable materials

  • Batch identification and segregation systems

  • Transfer of sustainability declarations from farms

  • Documentation of transportation emissions

  • Processing of biomass into raw oils

  • Mass balance accounting of sustainable materials

  • Conversion efficiency documentation

  • Co-product allocation records

  • Updated sustainability characteristics for processed oils

  • Custody transfer documentation

  • Verification of sustainability declarations

  • Storage conditions and inventory tracking

  • Sustainability characteristics maintained during transfers

  • Batch identification through trading activities

HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) Production

  • Processing of oils into renewable diesel

  • Process emissions monitoring

  • Quality control documentation

  • Mass balance tracking through conversion process

  • Updated GHG emission calculations

HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) Processing

  • Conversion of renewable diesel to jet fuel specifications

  • Documentation of processing inputs and outputs

  • Quality testing to ensure ASTM D7566 compliance

  • Sustainability characteristics transfer to refined SAF

  • Final GHG emission verification

  • Blending with conventional jet fuel

  • Documentation of blend ratios

  • Quality certification of final blended product

  • Updated sustainability declarations post-blending

  • Transfer certificates to distribution system

  • Receipt verification at airport storage facilities

  • Quality control testing

  • Segregation or mass balance tracking at airport

  • Into-plane delivery documentation

  • Final sustainability certificates preparation

  • Receipt of sustainability documentation for CORSIA reporting

  • Verification of sustainability characteristics

  • Documentation for emissions reduction claims

  • Final record keeping for regulatory compliance

  • Reporting of SAF usage in emissions accounting

The Sustainity ISCC CORSIA Implementation Workflow

A comprehensive breakdown of each step in the UCO supply chain and the Sustainity modules that support ISCC CORSIA compliance

Implementation Step Key Activities Sustainity Modules
01 Supplier Network Development
Registering restaurants and food processors
Verifying sustainability compliance
Implementing QR-coded collection containers
Training supplier staff on documentation
Supplier & Sourcing Dashboard
Supplier Verification System
Digital Sustainability Documentation
Blockchain-Based Smart Contracts
02 UCO Collection Operations
Optimizing collection routes
Scheduling and executing UCO pickup
Digital tracking of collected waste
Point-of-origin documentation
Inventory & Resource Management
Real-Time Collection Tracking
Automated Batch ID Assignment
AI-Powered Route Optimization
Mobile Collection Documentation
03 Transport to Processing Facility
Weighing and receiving procedures
Digital custody transfer
Transportation emissions tracking
Quality sampling on arrival
Carbon Emissions Management
Transport CO₂ Calculation Engine
Digital Transportation Logs
GHG Emissions Calculator

Supply Chain Optimization
Blockchain Transparency Tools
AI-Powered Route Planning
04 UCO Processing Operations
Filtration and pre-treatment
Degumming and refining processes
Quality control testing
Process documentation
Inventory & Resource Management
Mass Balance Tracking System
Digital Quality Testing Records
Batch Process Documentation

Compliance & Regulatory Management
Automated Certification Reports
Sustainability Data Storage
05 Storage and Inventory Management
Tank allocation and monitoring
Sustainability batch tracking
Mass balance reconciliation
Storage condition monitoring
Inventory & Resource Management
Real-Time Storage Monitoring
Automated Mass Balance Reconciliation
Storage Condition Tracking
Inventory Aging Analysis
06 Trading and Sales Activities
Market and price monitoring
Contract negotiation with HEFA producers
Sustainability documentation generation
Order fulfillment planning
Trading & Digital Certification
Blockchain-Based Sustainability Certificates
Automated ISCC CORSIA Documentation
Digital Contract Management
Customer Portal for Documentation Access
07 Outbound Logistics
Loading procedures and verification
Transport emissions calculation
Shipment documentation preparation
Chain of custody maintenance
Carbon Emissions Management
Transportation CO₂ Analytics
Emissions Optimization Engine

Supply Chain Optimization
Logistics Planning Dashboard
Digital Loadout Verification
Real-Time Shipment Tracking
08 Customer Delivery and Handover
Seal integrity verification
Final quality sampling
Sustainability documentation transfer
Delivery confirmation and reconciliation
Trading & Digital Certification
Digital Proof of Sustainability
Chain of Custody Documentation
Delivery Verification System
Customer Acceptance Portal
09 Compliance and Reporting
Mass balance audits and reconciliation
ISCC CORSIA compliance reporting
GHG emissions calculation
Continuous improvement processes
Compliance & Regulatory Management
Audit Preparation Toolkit
Automated GHG Reporting
ISCC Compliance Monitoring

Sustainability & CSR Reporting
Automated ESG Report Generation
Emissions Reduction Benchmarking
Continuous Improvement Analytics

References

ISCC. (2023). ISCC CORSIA 201: System Basics. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

ISCC. (2023). ISCC CORSIA 202: Sustainability Requirements. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

ISCC. (2023). ISCC CORSIA 203: Traceability and Chain of Custody. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

ICAO. (2022). CORSIA Sustainability Criteria for CORSIA Eligible Fuels. International Civil Aviation Organization.

ICAO. (2022). CORSIA Default Life Cycle Emissions Values for CORSIA Eligible Fuels. International Civil Aviation Organization.
https://www.iscc-system.org/certification/iscc-documents/iscc-system-documents/

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