What Carbon Standards International does

Carbon Standards International AG, headquartered in Frick, Switzerland, and founded in 2017, develops and operates proprietary certification standards and digital tools for biochar-based and broader carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. The company operates as a member of the EASY-CERT group AG and maintains regional presence across Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Its standards portfolio includes the European Biochar Certificate (EBC), World Biochar Certificate (WBC), Global Biochar C-Sink, Global Artisan C-Sink, Global Construction C-Sink, Global Rock C-Sink, Global Tree C-Sink, and Global Cooling, co-developed with the Ithaka Institute for Carbon Strategies. The company received official endorsement from ICROA in July 2025.

The technology stack centers on a digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV) framework, anchored by the Global C-Sink Registry (a public ledger of projects and carbon sinks with Project Design Documents), the Global C-Sink Tool (validated and retired sink management), and a suite of domain calculators and management tools (Biochar Tool, Methane Calculation Tool, Construction Tool, World-Climate Farm Tool). The platform issues CINK credits in real time upon project validation and supports transparent credit retirement. There is no AI/ML component in the stack as described; the system is standards- and methodology-driven.

Revenue is generated through five streams: (1) certification and audit fees, including annual audits and endorsement certificate issuance (€150/certificate, €150/hour consulting), (2) C-Sink Trader transaction and transfer fees (€0.30-€0.80 per tonne CO2e depending on registration duration, plus €0.10/tonne annual operating fee), (3) tiered project accompaniment packages (€700/€1,350/€2,700 for 5/10/20-hour packages), (4) training and education programs including e-learning for EBC accredited samplers, and (5) hardware sales of biochar measurement equipment. Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, combining free consultation bookings, an extensive 100+ partner network spanning accredited certifiers and carbon marketplaces, content marketing through newsletters and webinars, and event participation including industry conferences and the proprietary C-Sink Sports initiative. Primary customer segments are biochar producers, carbon sink project developers across multiple pathways, and farm operations; pricing is publicly listed with an online price calculator.

Name

Carbon Standards International

Legal name

Carbon Standards International AG

Website

https://carbon-standards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carbon Standards International AG, a Switzerland-based subsidiary of EASY-CERT group, develops and operates proprietary certification standards (EBC, WBC, Global C-Sink family) and digital dMRV tools for biochar and broader carbon dioxide removal projects, serving biochar producers, carbon sink developers, and farm operators across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Removal Certification

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Voluntary Carbon Credit Verification & Validation (VCS/Gold Standard/ACR/CAR) (EUABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Methodology Development & Standard-Setting Support (Protocols, Tools, Updates) (EUABACAN), Data Assurance, Audit & Attestation (ISAE 3000/3410, SOC, Chain-of-Custody) (EUABACAJ), Soil & Biomass Carbon Measurement (Soil Sampling, Forest Inventory, Blue Carbon) (EUABACAH), GHG Monitoring Plans & Sampling Design (Field Protocols, QA/QC) (EUABACAE)

Keywords

• Carbon removal certification
• Biochar certification standards
• Carbon sink verification
• Carbon credit registry
• Climate service standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Frick

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Standards and Certification Services: Carbon Standards International generates revenue through certification services for various carbon sink standards including European Biochar Certificate (EBC), World Biochar Certificate (WBC), and Global C-Sink standards. Revenue is generated through annual audits, project registration, and certification fees.
2. C-Sink Trader Services: Trading services for carbon sink credits including transfer fees based on CO2e tonnes. The company charges fees for transferring C-Sink credits, with different rates for registration periods of 1-30 years and >30 years.
3. Training and Education: Revenue from training courses, e-learning programs, and webinars related to biochar certification and carbon sink standards.
4. Project Accompaniment Services: Support packages including small accompaniment (5h), medium (10h), and large (20h) packages for project guidance, consultation, evaluation, and additional services until first validation.
5. Product Sales: Sale of measurement equipment including moisture meters and analyzers approved by the ithaka institute, used for biochar certification processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carbon Standards International develops and operates certification standards for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and biochar production, including the European Biochar Certificate (EBC), World Biochar Certificate (WBC), and multiple Global C-Sink standards. The company also provides digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV) tools, an online Global C-Sink Registry, and calculation tools that enable producers and project developers to register projects, track carbon sequestration, and receive CINK (certified carbon sink) credits in real time.

Product overview

Carbon Standards International offers a comprehensive portfolio of carbon removal certification standards and digital tools. The core offering consists of multiple certification standards (European Biochar Certificate, World Biochar Certificate, Global Biochar C-Sink, Global Artisan C-Sink, Global Construction C-Sink, Global Rock C-Sink, Global Tree C-Sink, and Global Cooling) that provide scientifically sound, measurable frameworks for certifying various forms of carbon sequestration. These standards are complemented by a suite of online digital tools including the Global C-Sink Tool, Global C-Sink Registry, Methane Calculation Tool, Biochar Tool, Construction Tool, and World-Climate Farm Tool, which provide the digital infrastructure for project registration, tracking, and verification throughout the certification lifecycle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• European Biochar Certificate (EBC) A rigorous certification standard for biochar production quality and carbon sequestration permanence, developed in partnership with the ithaka institute for carbon strategies. Used by biochar producers and operators seeking EBC accreditation.
• World Biochar Certificate (WBC) Global certification standard for biochar ensuring quality, sustainability, and verifiable carbon removal across international markets.
• Global Biochar C-Sink Standard for certifying biochar as a geological carbon sink with measurable and verifiable climate impact.
• Global Artisan C-Sink Certification standard tailored for small-scale artisan biochar producers to certify carbon sinks through simplified procedures.
• Global Construction C-Sink Standard for utilizing biochar in construction materials as a carbon sink solution, enabling building-materials-based carbon sequestration certification.
• Global Rock C-Sink Certification standard for rock-based carbon sequestration approaches.
• Global Tree C-Sink Certification standard for tree-based carbon sequestration projects.
• Global Cooling Standard for measuring and certifying global cooling impact through carbon removal activities.
• Global C-Sink Tool Digital platform for managing validated and retired carbon sinks throughout the certification lifecycle.
• Global C-Sink Registry Public online registry listing all projects and carbon sinks with Project Design Documents (PDD), enabling transparent tracking of certified carbon credits.
• Methane Calculation Tool Online tool for calculating methane emissions related to biochar production systems.
• Biochar Tool Online tool for managing biochar production tracking and certification documentation.
• World-Climate Farm Tool Online tool for calculating the carbon footprint of farms and agricultural operations, supporting climate-positive farm management.
• C-Sink Trader Services Trading service for C-Sink credit transfers, charging per-tonne CO2e transfer fees (€0.80/tonne for 1-30 years; €0.30/tonne for >30 years) plus an annual operating fee of €0.10/tonne CO2e.
• Project Accompaniment Services Consultative project support packages (Small 5h/€700, Medium 10h/€1,350, Large 20h/€2,700) providing guidance, consultation, evaluation, and additional services until first validation.
• Measurement Equipment Sales Sale of approved measurement equipment, including moisture meters and analyzers, used in biochar certification processes.
• Training and E-Learning Programs Training courses, e-learning programs, and webinars covering biochar certification, EBC accredited sampler certification, and carbon sink standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Standards developed in partnership with world-renowned ithaka institute for carbon strategies
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ithaka Institute for Carbon StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partnership for development and regular updates of biochar and carbon sink standards. The ithaka institute provides scientific expertise and research integration for standards development.
• ICROA (International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICROA endorsed organization. Received conditional endorsement in August 2024 and official endorsement in July 2025, providing market credibility for certification services.
• bio-inspectacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccredited certification body providing verification and validation services for C-sink standards. Hosts training and certification programs.
• EASY-CERT group AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization. Carbon Standards International is a member of EASY-CERT group AG, sharing infrastructure and certification ecosystem.
• International Biochar Initiative (IBI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership announced in May 2024 between IBI and Carbon Standards International for biochar industry collaboration.
• CarbonfuturemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading global carbon sink marketplace. Noted as becoming the number one global carbon sink marketplace in 2023.
• Carbon ConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization in the carbon market ecosystem.
• South PoleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon market solutions provider and partner.
• ClimeworksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDirect air capture company and carbon removal partner.
• AtmosfairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon offset organization and partner.
• PatchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon removal marketplace partner.
• MyclimateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClimate protection organization and partner.
• Biochar EuropeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean biochar industry association partner.
• German BiocharminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman biochar industry association partner.
• SoledadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable supply chain partner (Solidad Network).
• MilkywireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon market technology platform partner.
• Generation CarbonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon removal partner.
• CERESminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCertification body providing carbon sink certification services.
• q.inspectaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccredited certification body issuing C-sink potential certificates.
• QSminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQuality assurance scheme recognizing EBC feed analysis for QS certification from January 2024.
• OpnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbon market platform partner.
• EcologiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClimate action platform and partner.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• South Pole: South Pole is a large carbon solutions provider offering project development, advisory, and trading. Already a CSI GTM partner, it overlaps in the CDR/biochar project ecosystem while also acting as a buyer and developer that interacts with CSI standards.

Direct peers

• Gold Standard: Gold Standard is a leading voluntary carbon standard with strong NGO backing and ICROA recognition. It mirrors CSI's verification-and-issuance model across emission reduction and removal projects, though it lacks CSI's deep biochar specialization.
• Puro.earth: Puro.earth is a CDR-focused registry and standard specifically targeting biochar and other engineered carbon removal pathways. It is the closest direct competitor to CSI's Global C-Sink program in the biochar certification niche.
• Climate Action Reserve: Climate Action Reserve develops and operates voluntary carbon protocols across North American project types. It overlaps with CSI in running methodologies and issuing credits recognized by ICROA and corporate buyers.
• American Carbon Registry: ACR is an established voluntary carbon registry issuing credits across forestry, agriculture, and engineered removals. Like CSI it develops methodologies and runs an issuance pipeline, serving similar voluntary market buyers.
• BeZero Carbon: BeZero Carbon is a carbon credit ratings agency evaluating credit quality across voluntary registries. Like CSI, it operates at the standards-and-integrity intersection for voluntary carbon markets, though from a ratings rather than certifier angle.
• Carbonfuture: Carbonfuture is a leading biochar CDR marketplace and tracking infrastructure — already a CSI partner. The two are deeply complementary but functionally adjacent: both operate registries for biochar removals and compete for the same project-developer customers.
• Verra: Verra operates the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), the largest voluntary carbon credit program globally. Like CSI, it develops methodologies, runs a public registry, and issues carbon credits, but with vastly broader scope across all project types rather than specializing in CDR/biochar.
• Sylvera: Sylvera provides independent ratings and due diligence on carbon credits, including CDR projects. While not a standard-setter itself, it operates adjacent to CSI in the voluntary market integrity layer that corporate buyers rely on for credit assessment.

Emerging players

• Isometric: Isometric is a science-based CDR registry issuing removal credits via verified methodologies. It competes with CSI in carbon removal certification but focuses on a more exclusive, scientifically controlled credit issuance model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/carbon.standards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carbon-standards

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carbon Standards International