Eligible Companies

RSB certification applies to the production, processing, conversion, trade and use of biomass and biofuels, and can be sought by feedstock and biofuel producers and processors, as well as biofuel blenders.

Certification Scope

Qualification for RSB certification involves assessment of conformance to criteria under the following principles:

• Legality
• Planning, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Human and Labor Rights, Rural and Social Development
• Local Food Security
• Conservation
• Soil, Water, Air
• Use of Technology, Inputs, and Management of Waste
• Land Rights
• Chain of Custody

1. Apply for Auditing

   Use the RSB Tool to fill out an application form on and submit it to the RSB System Operation Entity. In addition, use this tool to complete a self-risk assessment, which determines the risk class, as well as a self‐evaluation, which describes the degree of compliance with the RSB standard. Once your operation is approved through RSB, SCS will create a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. To initiate the certification process, return a signed proposal and work order.

2. Pre-Assessment: Optional

   As an additional service, SCS can review the details of your project to identify factors leading to increases in risk class and potential non‐compliances with the RSB Principles and Criteria. SCS reviews your application, risk assessment and self-evaluation along with any specialist reports to identify gaps. All key factors leading to increased risk along with any potential non‐compliance will be delivered in a pre‐assessment report.

3. Schedule an Audit

   SCS assigns an auditor and audit dates are proposed. We develop a risk-based sampling plan, identify facilities to be visited, and submit an audit agenda/plan to you.

4. On-site Audit

   The SCS auditor evaluates your operation against the RSB Principles and Criteria in the RSB Standards. We review the self‐risk assessment and self-evaluation, if applicable, and conduct core verification activities. After the audit is completed, we provide you with an Audit Report that lists any non-conformities.

5. Complete Corrective Actions

   Identified non-conformities must be addressed and evidence of corrective actions provided to SCS within a specific time. In some circumstances it may be necessary for the auditor to return to the site to check that appropriate corrective action has been taken.

6. Make Certification Decision

   SCS reviews the Audit Report and Corrective Action documentation to make a certification decision. For those who achieve certification, a final audit report and certificate is issued for review to RSB.

7. RSB SOE Review of Certification

   The RSB System Operating Entity (SOE) reviews the Certification Report and Certificate. Once accepted, the operator’s Public Summary of the Certification report and the Certificate become available to the public.