International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

What International Sustainability and Carbon Certification does

ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a Cologne-based, multi-stakeholder sustainability certification system founded in 2006, operating globally across 136 countries with over 14,600 valid certificates and approximately 54 million tonnes of crops flowing through ISCC-certified value chains annually. ISCC delivers four core certification schemes — ISCC EU (recognised by the European Commission under RED II and RED III for renewable fuel compliance), ISCC PLUS (voluntary scheme for bio-based materials, circular economy, food, feed, chemicals, and packaging), ISCC CORSIA (recognised by ICAO for sustainable aviation fuels), and ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification — alongside voluntary add-ons for EU Deforestation Regulation, Regenerative Agriculture, Food Security, and a Credit Transfer System / Book & Claim Registry launched in April 2024. The technology backbone is the ISCC HUB digital platform for registration, certificate, and transaction management, supported by the Audit Procedure System (APS), ISCC Credit Transfer System/Registry, Risk Management Tool with mobile app, and a newly formed Chemical Analytics of Feedstocks working group building proprietary feedstock fraud-detection methods.

ISCC generates revenue through five distinct streams: recurring certification fees paid by farms, first gathering points, processing units, traders, and brand owners across its schemes; brand owner licensing royalties for use of ISCC on-product logos and verified claims; ISCC Academy training courses priced at €500-1,650 + VAT (EU Training, PLUS, CORSIA, GHG Advanced, Carbon Footprint, Low ILUC Risk Feedstock, EU Waste & Residues, EU Co-processing); ISCC Association (ISCC e.V.) membership dues providing advisory platform access; and event sponsorship across the Global Sustainability Conference and regional/technical stakeholder committees in Europe, North America, Latin America, China, Southeast Asia, India, SAF, Circular Economy and Bioeconomy, and Marine Fuels. Go-to-market combines community-led governance (multi-stakeholder development), event-driven engagement (regional conferences and technical committees), and sales-adjacent distribution via a global network of accredited Certification Bodies and auditors using the ISCC HUB platform. Named enterprise customers span food (Barilla, Nestlé, Mondelez, ADM, Bunge), energy and biofuels (OMV, Shell, Neste, Glencore, Pertamina), aviation (Airbus, Cathay Pacific, DHL, LanzaTech, SkyNRG), and chemicals (Eastman, Indorama, UPM), among others.

Name

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

Legal name

ISCC System GmbH

Website

https://iscc-system.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISCC is a Cologne-based, multi-stakeholder sustainability certification system operating across 136 countries with over 14,600 valid certificates, providing ISCC EU, ISCC PLUS, ISCC CORSIA, and Carbon Footprint Certification schemes plus voluntary add-ons for biofuels, circular materials, and sustainable aviation fuels, serving farms, processors, brand owners, and energy companies globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compliance Carbon Market Verification & Accreditation (EU ETS/UK ETS/California/Regional) (EUABACAB), Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK), Methodology Development & Standard-Setting Support (Protocols, Tools, Updates) (EUABACAN)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification
• Biofuel certification
• Carbon footprint certification
• Sustainable aviation fuels
• Supply chain traceability

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: Companies across the supply chain pay certification fees to obtain and maintain ISCC certifications (ISCC EU, ISCC PLUS, ISCC CORSIA, ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification). Fees are paid by farms, first gathering points, processing units, traders, and brand owners. The certification process involves auditors from accredited Certification Bodies.
2. ISCC Academy Training Courses: ISCC offers paid training courses including EU Training, PLUS Training, CORSIA Training, EU GHG Advanced Training, Carbon Footprint Certification Training, Low ILUC Risk Feedstock Training, EU Waste and Residues Training, and EU Co-processing Training. Fees range from EUR 500-1,650 + VAT per course with early bird discounts available. Training is offered as live online, on-demand, or blended learning formats.
3. Brand Owner Licensing: Brand owners pay licensing fees to use ISCC on-product logos and verified claims. ISCC's Licensing Scheme allows licensees to use ISCC logos on products, with a Licence Database for verification. Fees are associated with the logo use and claim licensing process.
4. ISCC Association Membership: The ISCC Association (ISCC e.V.) brings together stakeholders across the ISCC community. Membership in the ISCC Association provides an advisory platform for exchange and strategic dialogue on sustainable supply chains. Membership enables participation in working groups, stakeholder committees, and governance processes.
5. Event Sponsorship and Conferences: ISCC organises conferences including the ISCC Global Sustainability Conference and regional/technical stakeholder committee meetings. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies to enhance visibility, engage with decision-makers, and build connections. Events cover regions including India, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, North America, and Latin America.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ISCC develops and operates globally recognised sustainability certification schemes (ISCC EU for EU RED compliance, ISCC PLUS for voluntary circular and bio-based markets, ISCC CORSIA for aviation, ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification, ISCC Japan FIT, ISCC Canada CFR) along with voluntary add-ons such as EUDR, Regenerative Agriculture, Food Security Standard, and a Credit Transfer System (Book & Claim). The system relies on the ISCC HUB digital platform, ISCC Audit Procedure System, the ISCC Credit Transfer System/Registry, and an ISCC Risk Management Tool with mobile app for verification and traceability. Certification is delivered through a global network of accredited Certification Bodies and supported by paid training via the ISCC Academy.

Product overview

ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) operates as a multi-stakeholder certification system providing globally recognized sustainability certification schemes. The core portfolio includes ISCC EU (regulatory-compliant certification for EU biofuels), ISCC PLUS (voluntary certification for circular economy and bio-based materials), ISCC CORSIA (for sustainable aviation fuels), and ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification. These primary schemes are supported by voluntary add-ons including Regenerative Agriculture, EUDR compliance, Food Security Standard, and the Credit Transfer System (Book & Claim). The ecosystem also includes the ISCC HUB platform for certificate management, the ISCC Academy for auditor training, and Stakeholder Committees for industry engagement. As of October 2025, ISCC has issued over 14,600 valid certificates across 136 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISCC EU

Quantifiable outcome

• 54 million tonnes of crops enter ISCC-certified value chains annually
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Fashion for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Fashion for Good launched the Mass Balance Demonstrator project with industry partners including Bestseller, Beyond Yoga, On, Paradise Textiles, Indorama Ventures, UPM Biochemicals, and Textile Exchange. ISCC is mentioned in the context of mass balance attribution (MBA) chain-of-custody model certification for biomass-attributed PET in textiles, as part of this initiative to scale biobased polyester.
• OMVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026ISCC partnered with OMV and Airbus in February 2026 to support the further development of the global SAF ecosystem, grounded in shared focus on Book and Claim Chain-of-Custody models. OMV, as a fuel producer, contributes energy production perspective. As part of this pilot, OMV's UpHy II project (10MW electrolyser producing renewable hydrogen) is ISCC EU certified under RED III RFNBO standards. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership to strengthen Book and Claim frameworks for SAF scaling.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026ISCC partnered with OMV and Airbus to support the further development of the global SAF ecosystem through Book and Claim Chain-of-Custody models. Airbus, as an aircraft manufacturer and market aggregator, takes on the new 'facilitator' role in the ISCC Credit Transfer System to facilitate transactions between supply chain actors (e.g., airlines and corporate partners). The collaboration aims to drive credible, scalable SAF deployment with industry, certification, and manufacturing perspectives aligned.
• Chemical Analytics of Feedstocks Working Group ParticipantscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2025ISCC established a new technical working group 'Chemical Analytics of Feedstocks' in August 2025 with the goal of strengthening supply chain integrity through scientifically sound analytical tools. The group brings together technical experts from academia and research institutions, Certification Bodies, and providers of analytical testing services. The kick-off meeting took place on 6 August 2025. The group focuses on characterising high-risk feedstocks (starting with Used Cooking Oil) and developing analytical approaches to detect feedstock characteristics, embedding these methods into ISCC's integrity processes.
• BungecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bunge supported the development of ISCC's Regenerative Agriculture Add-On, providing hands-on experience from implementation. Bunge's trials focus on farmers in Romania, Hungary, and Poland. Bunge is also mentioned as a user of ISCC's science-based framework for regenerative agriculture in Europe and globally.
• NestecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Neste is involved in multi-stakeholder pilot projects for ISCC's Regenerative Agriculture add-on, alongside Texas A&M University and North Dakota State University, conducting field studies in the U.S. Neste is a major player in renewable diesel and SAF, and is mentioned extensively in Southeast Asia and Latin America contexts as a key partner in ISCC-certified supply chains.
• Texas A&M University and North Dakota State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Texas A&M University and North Dakota State University are conducting multi-stakeholder pilot projects with ISCC and Neste for the ISCC Regenerative Agriculture add-on, conducting field studies in the U.S. These academic partnerships provide research rigor and scientific validation for the regenerative agriculture certification framework.
• Garuda / PT SMART Tbk (Sinarmas)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dr Haskarlianus Pasang, Head of Operations Sustainability at GAR/PT SMART Tbk (Sinarmas Group), served as co-chair of the ISCC Southeast Asia Regional Committee. Sinarmas is a major Indonesian agribusiness engaged in ISCC certification and sustainable palm oil production.
• LanzaTechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025LanzaTech presented at ISCC's China conference on creating a circular carbon economy. ISCC CORSIA certification of LanzaJet's first commercial AtJ SAF production facility was highlighted at the 2024 SAF Technical Stakeholder Committee. LanzaTech produces SAF through alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) technology.
• SkyNRGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SkyNRG's Tom Berg presented a global SAF market forecast at the ISCC Southeast Asia Regional Stakeholder Meeting, projecting global SAF demand from 4 million tonnes today to 195 million tonnes by 2050. SkyNRG is a key SAF advisory and procurement partner engaged with ISCC's regional expansion.
• Cathay Pacific AirwaysminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cathay Pacific presented at ISCC's China conference on its sustainability journey, showcasing how ISCC PLUS and ISCC-certified SAF support the airline's decarbonisation strategy. The airline's SAF programme is part of ISCC's broader aviation stakeholder engagement.
• JetZero AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024JetZero Australia presented its SAF projects (Ulysses ATJ Plant and Mandala HEFA Plant) at ISCC's SAF Technical Stakeholder Committee. The Ulysses ATJ Plant is in FEED stage with target production of 113 million litres SAF per year, representing ISCC's engagement with emerging SAF producers in the Pacific region.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB): Multi-stakeholder sustainability certification scheme for biofuels and biomaterials, recognised under RED II/III and CORSIA. RSB is ISCC's closest direct peer, competing for the same voluntary and compliance certification budgets across aviation, road, and bio-based materials markets.
• Bonsucro: Global sustainability certification platform for sugarcane-derived products (ethanol, sugar, bioenergy). Comparable to ISCC's agricultural biomass certification model with similar multi-stakeholder governance and chain-of-custody requirements.

Broad incumbents

• ISCC PLUS competitors – Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO): Leading sustainability certification scheme for palm oil, overlapping with ISCC PLUS in palm-based feedstock supply chains. RSPO dominates its vertical with stronger brand recognition among consumer goods companies.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Global leader in forest certification with strong brand recognition in consumer-facing forestry, paper, and packaging markets. Overlaps with ISCC's biomass and forestry-related certifications but with a more specialised focus.
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC): International umbrella for national forest certification systems, comparable to ISCC's forestry and chain-of-custody certification work. PEFC competes for paper, packaging, and biomass sourcing certifications.
• Verra (Verified Carbon Standard): Major carbon credit standards body operating the VCS Program and registry infrastructure. Verra competes with ISCC's Carbon Footprint Certification and has overlap in voluntary climate markets and Book & Claim-style registries.
• Gold Standard: Certifies carbon credits and sustainable development projects with strong recognition among corporates for Scope 3 and offset claims. Competes with ISCC CFC and Carbon Footprint offerings in voluntary carbon markets.
• Rainforest Alliance: Major sustainability certification scheme for agriculture, forestry, and consumer goods, with overlapping brand-owner licensing and supply chain traceability value propositions to ISCC PLUS.

Emerging players

• SAF International (SkyNRG): SAF procurement and certification support company that works closely with airlines and ISCC's Credit Transfer System. Acts as a complementary SAF ecosystem partner and proxy for end-market demand projections used in ISCC's bull thesis.

Others

• Meo Carbon Solutions: Sustainability consulting firm whose Director (Dr. Jan Henke) is shared with ISCC's management team. Closely adjacent in carbon footprint methodology, MRV, and sustainability advisory work for emerging market supply chains.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISCCSystem
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISCCSystem

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Sustainability and Carbon Certification