Integrating biochar into the European policy and regulatory landscape & guide informed decision-making.
Contributing to the formation of the delegated act (DA) on permanent carbon removals through biochar applications.
Creating a common voice in collaboration with the metallurgic industry to enhance the uptake of biochar (green carbon) in metallurgic processes.
Creating the basis of carbon accounting for cementous products.
Showcasing pyrolysis & biochar as ways to enhance soil properties & remediate contaminations from soil matrices.
Advancing BCR requires targeted advocacy, robust knowledge-sharing, and policy support to unlock its full potential in carbon markets and environmental sustainability.
Promote the inclusion of biochar-based solutions into EU framework & policies.
Spark and organize advocacy for relevant policy files
Collect knowledge & initiate research
Propose frameworks & methodologies to EU decision-makers
Expanding carbon-sink potential for biochar in non-soil materials demands clear guidelines on permanence, regulatory frameworks, and effective communication across industries.
C-sink accounting for biochar-based material applications needs to mature by:
Overcoming missing persistence claimsIntroducing regulatory frameworks
Improving external communication
Develop guidelines for life-cycle assessments (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPD) to account for carbon stored in cement & concrete
Open letter on the permanence of non-soil applications to align industry
Address concerns around biochar permanence, especially in applications like concrete
Highlight end-of-life scenarios and the impact of carbon removal
Call to action to relevant organizations to further encourage the adoption of biochar in non-soil applications
Sewage sludge biochar, treated via pyrolysis, has untapped potential as a sustainable fertilising product, wastewater filter, and soil remediation solution, but regulatory advancements are crucial to unlock its benefits.
Advocate for broadening the scope of pyrolysis feedstocks at the EU level
Alleviate EU and national market and regulatory barriers
Collect and spread knowledge about sewage sludge treatment through pyrolysis and biochar potential as fertilising product, wastewater filter media and soil remediation solution
Sewage sludge biochar inclusion in the Fertilising Product (EU) Regulation 1009/2019
Recognition of pyrolysis as a sustainable treatment option for sludges, in the scope of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Sewage Sludge Directive Recast
The EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) is a voluntary regulatory system to certify different carbon removals
Biochar Europe, our partners and our Policy Working Group have been strongly advocating for a tech-open approach and the inclusion of Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) in the scope of permanent removals. Biochar has been included among the permanent carbon removal activities, also thanks to the evidence on permanence provided and summarized in the Report on Permanence of Biochar. Biochar Europe is also part of the Expert Group on Carbon Removal, which collaborates with the Commission on the regulation developments.
The Framework aims at certifying and scaling up carbon removal activities as a complementary strategy to carbon emission reduction efforts. Moreover, its intent is to standardise the carbon removal market, while fighting greenwashing. To ensure the certificate’s quality, carbon removal activities have to meet the “QU.A.L.ITY” criteria, complying with requirements on quantification, additionality, long-term storage, and sustainability.
The CRCF defines three categories of carbon removals: permanent carbon removal, temporary carbon storage in long-lasting products and carbon farming, the latter divided into soil emission reduction and temporary carbon storage. Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR) is now categorized as permanent carbon removal.The European Commission collaborates with an Expert Group to develop methodologies under the framework, for different categories and different technologies. Certification scheme methodologies play an important role here, as they will generate registries to track certificates emitted by certification bodies.
The Fertilising Product (EU) Regulation 2019/1009 concerns CE-marked fertilising products and replaces the previous Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003.
Biochar Europe is actively part of the Expert Group on Fertilising Products, which supports the European Commission regarding amendments and developments of the FPR. Biochar Europe and our members have been supporting biochar inclusion in the regulation for a long time. Biochar was included in 2022 as a component for fertilising products. Currently, Biochar Europe together with our members is working toward the inclusion of more feedstock for biochar production under the FPR.
The new regulation paves the way for new fertilising products such as organic, organo-mineral fertilisers, soil improvers, biostimulants, etc.
Requirements on quality and safety of products are laid down, such as pollutants and pathogens limit values. The aim is to ensure soil quality and reduce health and environmental risks. At the same time, the regulation promotes recycling and reuse within the EU single market. It emphasizes the importance of nutrient recovery and seeks to ensure nutrient supply independence for EU agriculture. In doing so, the agricultural sector will be a part of the EU pathway towards a circular economy.
The FPR also regulates input materials of fertilising products, their processes and features. Requirements for both end-products and input materials have sparked the development of new harmonised standards and methods for manufacturing chains. Seven Product Function Categories (PFCs) are established to indicate the fertilising product typology, while 15 Component Material Categories (CMCs) are included as possible input materials of PFCs. Biochar has been included in the regulation since 2021 under CMC14 “Pyrolysis and gasification materials”.
Regulation - 2019/1009 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
The revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) is a crucial component of the EU’s zero-pollution action plan, aimed at improving water quality and promoting sustainability across Europe.
Pyrolysis is a promising technology for treating nutrient-rich sewage sludge and could play a significant role in phosphorus recovery. At the same time, biochar can play a role in urban stormwater management and nutrient leakage reduction. To support this, Biochar Europe worked to inform policymakers about the benefits of pyrolysis as a phosphorus recovery solution.
A key element of the directive is the introduction of a deadline for achieving energy neutrality in the wastewater treatment sector. It also lays down an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, which requires the most polluting industries to contribute fairly to the costs associated with wastewater treatment. These measures are designed to enhance monitoring practices, reduce pollution at its source, and set minimum recovery rates for nutrients at the EU level.
The European Commission will draft a delegated act to establish a minimum reuse and recycling rate for phosphorus recovered from sludge and urban wastewater. This ensures a better nutrient circularity. On the other hand, minimum reuse and recycling rates for nitrogen sourced from sludge and urban wastewater will not be implemented until after a review of the directive by the European Commission, which is scheduled for 2033.
The Soil Monitoring Law is a legal framework that supports the EU’s goal of achieving healthy soils by 2050.
National identification of sustainable soil practices represents great potential for biochar to be recognized as a powerful soil amendment. Biochar can improve soil texture, water retention, soil organic matter and biodiversity. Biochar Europe advocated for a more ambitious law and is part of the EU Expert Group on Soil Health.
Crucial issues are addressed by the law, such as erosion, loss of soil organic matter, contamination, floods and loss of soil biodiversity. Above all, special attention is given to poor land management practices, combined with climate change impact. Several key measures are laid down to face these challenges.
For instance, Member States are required to assess the health of all soils in their territory and implement sustainable soil management practices to restore degraded soils. Also, Member States will define the conditions for soil to be considered healthy and what constitutes as an ‘unacceptable risk’ for human and environmental health from contaminated soil sites.
Biochar Europe hosts the Industry Expert Group, a body dedicated to articulating industry needs, proposing updates, and verifying changes to the European Biochar Certificate (EBC).
The European Biochar Certificate (EBC) is a quality assurance system designed to ensure sustainable biochar production and compliance with recognized standards.
National identification of sustainable soil practices represents great potential for biochar to be recognized as a powerful soil amendment. Biochar can improve soil texture, water retention, soil organic matter and biodiversity. Biochar Europe advocated for a more ambitious law and is part of the EU Expert Group on Soil Health.
Issued by Carbon Standards International, the EBC provides an assessment mechanism grounded in the latest research, practices, and legislation to guarantee sustainable production, processing, and sale of biochar. It offers a reliable quality standard for customers and allows producers to demonstrate that their products meet well-defined criteria. With biochar technology advancing rapidly and new applications emerging, the EBC is regularly revised to integrate the latest research findings and developments, maintaining alignment with ongoing innovations and potential future regulations like EU fertilizer and carbon-sink policies.
Biochar carbon removal is today the most high-potential, industrial, permanent carbon removal technology. To ensure permanent removal, tracking as well as suitable qualitative and quantitative methods for the determination of the permanent fraction in biochar and the overall environmental impact are mandatory.
We expect clearly defined methodologies and guidelines within the delegated acts of the Carbon Removal Certification Framework. Here are some of the tracking methodologies:
We continuously monitor the EU policy landscape to identify significant files that impact the Biochar Sector