SURE-EU scheme standards updated and approved

Effective May 21, 2025, the SURE (SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES Verification Scheme) has officially updated its certification standards to version 3.0. These revisions bring the SURE scheme fully in line with the European Union’s revised Renewable Energy Directive – RED III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413).

For current certificate holders and new Economic Operators considering certification, understanding these updates is essential to ensure compliance and maintain access to the EU bioenergy market.

Why the standards have changed

RED III is part of the EU’s broader climate strategy to increase the share of renewable energy while strengthening environmental protections. As a result, certification schemes like SURE have had to update their requirements to reflect more stringent expectations on sustainability, transparency, and traceability.

What’s new in SURE updated standards?

1. Stronger Sustainability Criteria

Operators must now demonstrate more clearly that biomass and biofuels are sourced in a way that protects ecosystems, soil, and biodiversity. SURE updated standards include:

• Stricter requirements for land use and forest management.
• More detailed documentation on where and how raw materials are harvested.

2. New Forest biomass risk assessments required

Under RED III, all existing forest biomass sourcing risk assessments previously considered valid under RED II are no longer applicable. This is a major change for certificate holders using forest biomass.

To continue to prove compliance:

• New risk assessments must be conducted. SURE recognized risk assessments can be found HERE.
• These assessments must confirm that sourcing is of low risk according to the updated RED III criteria.
• This includes stricter evaluation of forest degradation, biodiversity, and carbon stock impacts.

SURE has provided updated framework for conducting Forest biomass sourcing risk assessment (see document TG-RA-en-3.0).

3. Improved Greenhouse Gas (GHG) verification

RED III demands higher overall GHG savings from bioenergy. While the technical thresholds have increased, the broader takeaway is that:

• Operators must show their supply chains make a meaningful contribution to emissions reduction.
• Updated calculation methods and reporting templates are now required under SURE updated standards.

For existing Certificate Holders

If you are already certified under the SURE scheme:

• Your current documentation, processes, and risk assessments must be reviewed and updated.
• In particular, all forest biomass sourcing must undergo new risk assessment procedures to remain compliant.

Acting early ensures that your certification remains valid under the new framework.

For new Economic Operators

SURE certification offers a clear and structured path to EU market access:

• Certification under the updated scheme confirms your compliance with the RED III requirements.
• You will benefit from increased market recognition and alignment with key sustainability expectations.

Whether you are a producer, trader, processor, or biomass supplier, the updated standards give your business a reliable way to demonstrate environmental and legal responsibility.

Get support and stay informed

All updated documentation can be found at the official SURE website. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.