ISCC vs REDcert: Choosing the Right Scheme for Your Renewable Compliance Strategy

Across the EU, all biofuel and biogas operators must comply with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II / RED III).

To prove compliance, companies rely on voluntary certification schemes approved by the European Commission. The two most common are ISCC EU and REDcert EU.

At first glance, both look similar. But if you are deciding which one fits your operations, or considering a switch, understanding their scope, reach, and digital readiness makes all the difference.

1. Same Law, Different Systems

Both ISCC EU and REDcert EU certify compliance with the same legal framework: the Renewable Energy Directive.
They ensure that feedstocks, fuels, and intermediate materials:

• Meet RED sustainability criteria (Article 29)
• Achieve the required greenhouse gas (GHG) savings
• Maintain traceability through a mass-balance chain of custody

In other words, neither scheme changes what is required; they only differ in how you prove it.

2. The Main Differences

Aspect	ISCC EU	REDcert EU
Recognition	Approved globally for RED II/III compliance and widely accepted outside the EU	Approved for RED II/III, strongest presence in Germany and nearby EU markets
Scope	Energy and non-energy via ISCC PLUS (plastics, chemicals, packaging)	Primarily fuels and biogas under RED
Integration	Connects to the UDB via ISCC HUB; ISCC DE integrates with Nabisy for Germany’s quota system.	Integrated with Nabisy and REDcert WebApp, UDB linkage in rollout
Network	120+ certification bodies, active in over 100 countries	Concentrated in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
Typical Users	Multinationals, cross-border traders, chemical and materials firms	Fuel suppliers and traders focused on the German quota market
Digital Tools	Automated PoS generation, UDB transaction sync	National-level reporting, often manual PoS entry
Non-fuel coverage	Yes, via ISCC PLUS	None

3. Integration with the Union Database (UDB)

Under RED III, all fuel operators in scope must report transactions to the EU Union Database (UDB).
Both ISCC EU and REDcert EU are approved for UDB access, but their integration maturity differs:

• ISCC EU connects through the ISCC HUB, where batch data can sync automatically with Nabisy and the UDB.
• REDcert EU offers similar functionality through its WebApp, though it is still centered on Germany’s national reporting.

If you operate across several Member States or export outside the EU, ISCC EU’s cross-platform setup typically reduces manual data entry and reconciliation.

4. When to Switch (or Combine)

Situation	Best Fit
You operate mainly in Germany and focus on quota fuels	Stay with REDcert EU
You trade or produce across multiple EU countries	Switch or add ISCC EU for wider acceptance
You plan to certify recycled or bio-attributed materials beyond fuels	Extend to ISCC PLUS
You need one system covering both fuels and circular materials	ISCC EU + ISCC PLUS
You already use REDcert EU but must connect to UDB for exports	Add ISCC EU for technical linkage

Many large companies maintain both certifications temporarily during transition: one for legacy national flows, another for cross-border or non-fuel products.

5. What Does Not Change

Regardless of scheme:

• The sustainability and GHG rules come from RED, not from the scheme itself.
• Both rely on third-party auditors approved by the European Commission.
• Both generate the same core documents: Sustainability Declarations (SDs) and Proofs of Sustainability (PoS).
• Both are valid inputs for national systems like Nabisy, REV, or GSE.

So your compliance status does not reset when you switch. You are simply changing the scheme operator that audits and manages your certificates.

6. Bottom Line

ISCC EU and REDcert EU both make you RED-compliant. They just offer different reach and digital connectivity.

If your business is expanding beyond a single Member State, integrating recycled or bio-attributed feedstocks, or preparing for UDB-based reporting, ISCC EU (and ISCC PLUS) offer the flexibility and digital alignment to scale.

If your focus remains the German quota market, REDcert EU remains an efficient, well-recognized choice.

In short:

• Same law
• Same sustainability rules
• Different ecosystem and reach

Choose the one that matches your geography, feedstocks, and reporting needs.

Disclaimer:
Carboledger Inc. is an independent software provider. References to ISCC or any other certification schemes in this article are made solely for informational and educational purposes. Carboledger is not affiliated with, certified by, or endorsed by ISCC System GmbH or any certification body. The content does not constitute certification advice or official guidance.