Preferred by Nature’s Responsible Biomass Programme covers verification and certification of all links in the biomass chain from forest to energy company.
Here you find more information about the following:
- Current legal requirements for biomass
- Verification of reports for companies subject to reporting (applicable to Danish companies subject to reporting)
- Certification of producers and distributors of wood-based biomass
- Overview of companies certified according to Preferred by Nature's Standard for Biomass Producers
Regulatory requirements
On 30 June 2021, Denmark introduced new requirements for biomass for energy purposes linked with the requirements of the RENEWABLE Energy Directive (RED II).
It means that each year some companies must report information to the Danish Energy Agency about the biomass used, including details referring to its geographical origin, quantities and type, as well as on compliance with the requirements for the biomass they have used, produced or imported.
For more information about the legislation, biomass types and reporting, please check the Danish Energy Agency's website.
Preferred by Nature's Programme for Responsible Danish Biomass covers services dedicated to both reporting companies and companies that supply biomass to these companies.
Reporting companies
The following companies are obligated to report to the Danish Energy Agency. The report must be verified by an approved third party.
- All energy undertakings with district heating boilers or cogeneration blocks of more than 5 MW
- All companies with industrial boilers of more than 20 MW
- Importers and producers of more than 20,000 tonnes of pellets per year.
From 30 June 2023, the reporting obligation will be extended to:
- All energy companies with district heating cones or heat blocks of over 2.5 MW
- All companies with industrial boilers of more than 2.5 MW
- Importers and producers of more than 5,000 tonnes of pellets, firewood and briquettes per year.
Application for verification
If you are interested in verification of your reporting and would like to receive an offer from us, please fill in the relevant form and send it to: [email protected]
- Energy producer (electricity and heating systems) or industrial plants
- Importers and producers of wood pellets
Criteria for verification of reports
Learn more about the Criteria for the verification of reports.
Regional risk assessments and analysis of other documentation
According to the legislation and the Danish Energy Agency’s guidelines, certain certification schemes can document compliance with sustainability requirements for certain types of biomass (see also the Danish Energy Agency’s reporting form). However, the legislation does not require biomass to be certified if it can otherwise be documented that the biomass complies with relevant legal requirements for the biomass type in question.
Preferred by Nature has carried out the following analyses, which form the basis for the verification of biomass that is not covered by a recognized certification.
Forest Biomass and Industrial Residual Wood from Sweden
The analysis covers the biomass categories Forest Biomass and Industrial Residual Wood for biomass where the country of harvest is Sweden. The analysis assesses whether biomass that is not covered by a recognized certification scheme meets the relevant Danish legal requirements, including whether FSC Controlled Wood certified biomass where the country of harvest is Sweden meets the relevant Danish legal requirements.
The report with conclusions can be downloaded here.
Non-forest biomass from Schleswig- Holstein
The analysis covers the type of biomass Non-forest originating from Schleswig-Holstein. Currently (March 2023) the Danish Energy Agency does not have recognized certification schemes for this biomass type. The analysis therefore assesses whether the management of non-forest areas in the region is covered by legislation that sufficiently ensures that the relevant Danish legal requirements are met for this biomass type.
The report with conclusions can be downloaded here.
Residual wood from Agricultural land of Spanish origin
The analysis covers the biomass type Residual Wood from Agricultural land originating in Spain. The analysis includes biomass that is not covered by a recognized certification scheme. The analysis assesses whether the production of biomass of the mentioned type is carried out with sufficient certainty so that the relevant Danish legal requirements are met for the biomass type.
The report with conclusions can be downloaded here.
Certification of biomass producers and distributors
Preferred by Nature offers certification and verification of biomass producers and distributors to demonstrate that their biomass meets the legal requirements that have been introduced. You can get certified against internationally recognised standards, such as the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
In addition, Preferred by Nature offers an option to certify/verify biomass producers according to Preferred by Nature’s Standard for Biomass Producers: The Standard for Biomass Producers
The standard is adapted to the Danish legislation and includes requirements for the wood-based biomass types covered by the legal requirements.
If you are interested in verification as a biomass producer and would like to receive an offer from us, please fill in this form.
Overview of companies verified according to Preferred by Nature's Standard for Biomass Producers
The overview below includes biomass producers and biomass distributors verified against Preferred by Nature's Standard for Biomass Producers.
Verification shall cover the activities and biomass types set out in the verification certificate.
Please note that verification is valid for the period specified in the verification certificate unless the list below indicates that the verification is:
- Suspended - temporary withdrawal of approval due to lack or inadequate follow-up of deviations
- Terminated - final withdrawal of approval.
For suspended and terminated certificates, the verification is invalid from the expiry date indicated in the table below, and from that date the company cannot claim biomass as verified by Preferred by Nature.
Click HERE to check the list of the companies verified according to Preferred by Nature's Standard for Biomass Producers.
