PEFC RED certification
PEFC RED certification enables companies to demonstrate that their forest or tree-based biomass complies with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II and RED III), which governs the sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings criteria of biomass fuels (woodchip, wood pellets, and briquettes) used for electricity, heating, or cooling in the EU.
PEFC RED is a voluntary certification scheme recognised by the European Commission. It builds on the PEFC Chain of Custody framework, adding RED specific requirements for traceability, sustainability and GHG accounting. Certified organisation must meet these requirements, while an independent conformity assessment body audits and verifies compliance.
PEFC RED certification applies to processors, traders, exporters, and biomass energy procedures such as power plants.
Why get PEFC RED certified?
Meet regulatory requirements
PEFC RED certification provides a clear, credible path to comply with RED’s sustainability and GHG criteria – a legal requirement for biomass used to meet renewable energy targets in the EU.
Simplify complex rules
PEFC RED translates RED’s technical regulations into a structured and familiar format, based on ISO standards and the PEFC chain of custody system used by thousands of companies globally.
Improve efficiency and save costs
- If you're already PEFC chain of custody certified, much of the system is already in place. This reduces the time, cost, and complexity of getting RED certified.
- If you're not certified yet, you can combine PEFC chain of custody and RED certification in a single audit, streamlining implementation.
Strengthen your market position
- Use the PEFC label and claims to demonstrate responsible sourcing and sustainability to customers.
- Gain access to PEFC’s global network and ~300 million hectares of certified forests.
- Ensure reliable cross-border trade of certified biomass.
Streamline the Level B risk assessment process
22 PEFC national forest management standards in the European Economic Area may already cover RED III sustainability criteria for sourcing area and can therefore be used as supporting evidence in the Level B risk assessment, cutting down the extra information you need to gather.
Be ready for future regulations
PEFC RED certification can be integrated with the PEFC EUDR DDS module, supporting compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation and other evolving legislative requirements.
Who should be PEFC RED certified?
PEFC RED certification is available for economic operators worldwide. It covers forest biomass, ligno-cellulosic material derived from processing residues originating in forest-related industries, trees outside of forest that are not classified as agricultural biomass, ligno-cellulosic waste, and biomass fuels produced from ligno-cellulosic material for heating, cooling, and electricity production.
This means no matter where you are based, you can use PEFC RED certification to demonstrate that the forest biomass you use meets the relevant RED sustainability criteria.
PEFC RED certification applies if your organisation:
- Produces energy (heating, cooling, or electricity) using forest or tree-based biomass
- Supplies forest or tree-based biomass for the production of energy in the EU market
- Wants to make verified declarations about compliance with RED sustainability and GHG criteria through a recognised scheme across borders.
PEFC RED does not cover agricultural biomass, biogas, or liquid biofuels.
Steps to get PEFC RED certified
1. Check your current certification status
- If you already hold PEFC chain of custody certification, you can build on your existing chain of custody system.
- If not, you will need to obtain both PEFC chain of custody and RED certification.
2. Map your supply chain
- Determine your role in the forest biomass supply chain to clarify your RED responsibilities.
3. Understand the requirements
- Get familiar with PEFC RED requirements that you need to implement (depending on your role in the supply chain).
4. Prepare your systems and documentation
- Set up the management system and due diligence system.
- Provide training for affected staff members.
- Prepare implementation procedures, including for the PEFC RED chain of custody method, collection of evidence of upstream supplier compliance, collection and transfer of accurate GHG data, and material declarations.
- Undertake internal audit.
5. Undergo certification audit
Contact a PEFC-notified certification body to schedule an audit. Your systems, processes and supply chain documentation will be assessed against the PEFC RED standard.
6. Sign your PEFC RED contract
Before receiving a PEFC RED certificate, you’ll need to sign a PEFC RED contract with the PEFC representative in your country. Your certification body will inform PEFC, who will then contact you to finalise the contract.
7. Use your certification
Once you have your PEFC RED certificate, you can:
- Access FREDII – the PEFC RED database
- Declare and supply RED-compliant biomass
- Demonstrate compliance to regulators, customers, and stakeholders
Already certified under another RED scheme?
If your company is already certified under a different, RED-recognised voluntary or national scheme, you may be able to transfer with limited additional work. PEFC RED accepts compliant input from other approved systems, subject to verification.
Payment and fee structure for PEFC RED certification
PEFC RED certification provides a simple fee structure based on the volume of biomass you declare.
If no biomass is declared at your first audit, a flat fee of 238 CHF applies.
If you do declare biomass:
- ≤ 5,000 tons/year: Fixed fee of 238 CHF
- > 5,000 tons/year: Fee includes a Basic Fee + Volume-Based Fee
Payment Process
Payment is due when signing the PEFC RED contract for your first audit, and immediately following each annual audit thereafter. Payments are made through the PEFC RED database by credit card or bank transfer and must be in Swiss Francs (CHF).
Late Payment Policy
Timely payment is essential to maintaining certification. If payment is delayed:
- First reminder – no charge
- Second reminder – 20 CHF fee
- Third reminder – 50 CHF fee, certificate set to "Not PEFC RED recognised", your certification body is notified to suspend your certificate.
- Continued non-payment – contract termination and your certification body is notified to withdraw your certificate.
What is the Renewable Energy Directive?
The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is a key EU policy promoting the use of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy sustainability. Originally adopted in 2009, it set binding targets for member states, aiming for 20% renewable energy by 2020. Revised versions have since raised the EU-wide goal to 42.5% by 2030. The directive supports renewable sources across electricity, heating, and transport, while setting sustainability criteria, especially for bioenergy. It also streamlines permitting processes and encourages cross-border cooperation. The RED plays a central role in the EU’s climate and energy transition under the European Green Deal.
Recognised Level A risk assessments
Level A risk assessments provide evidence that the country of harvest, and, where applicable, the sub-national region where the forest biomass was harvested, has applicable legislation and regulation to the area of harvest in place and the existence of systems for ensuring monitoring of implementation and enforcement of the national and sub national legislation and regulation, complying with RED III sustainability criteria. Additionally, Level A evidence also means that the country complies with the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) criteria at country level.
The process to develop Level A risk assessments and recognition of Level A risk assessments are set out in PEFC ST 5004. Level A risk assessments that are recognised directly by PEFC will be available shortly.
In addition, PEFC also recognises Level A risk assessments conducted or recognised by other voluntary schemes which received recognition by the European Commission covering the same scope as us.