Bureau Veritas expands hydrogen certification capabilities with CertifHy EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme

We are pleased to announce that we have obtained the status of an official certification body for the CertifHy EU RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) Voluntary Scheme. This achievement marks the second CertifHy certification collaboration for Bureau Veritas, following our successful recognition for the CertifHy Non-Governmental Certification (NGC) scheme in 2023.

Since 2023, Bureau Veritas has been a trusted certification partner for the CertifHy NGC scheme, which focuses on tracking the origins and environmental attributes of hydrogen produced and consumed across Europe. With this new recognition for CertifHy EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme, Bureau Veritas strengthens its position as a leader in hydrogen certification services, both within Europe where RFNBO certification is required and internationally for all RFNBO imports.

CertifHy EU RFNBO Scheme

The CertifHy EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme certifies renewable fuels derived from non-biological sources, primarily renewable hydrogen and derivatives generated from renewable electricity sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Unlike biofuels, these fuels do not depend on biomass as feedstocks, offering a crucial alternative pathway for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors with an unrestricted feedstock supply.

Fully aligned with the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and officially recognized by the European Commission, the CertifHy EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme is designed to ensure supply chain transparency and traceability.  The scheme enables the verification of both the renewable power supply requirements and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions achieved through the production and use of these fuels. It enforces core principles such as additionality – ensuring the renewable electricity comes from new, dedicated sources – as well as temporal and geographical alignment between electricity generation and hydrogen production. This rigorous process guarantees the scheme’s main target: a minimum 70% reduction in GHG emissions compared to fossil alternatives. Such transparency is essential for building trust among stakeholders, allowing producers and offtakers to confidently demonstrate compliance with the EU RED and its associated mandates. 

"This certification capability significantly expands our market offering in the growing hydrogen economy. With the CertifHy EU RFNBO certification, producers can access regulatory incentives and demonstrate compliance with European renewable energy directives. This builds crucial trust in the renewable hydrogen market as more industries incorporate these fuels into their decarbonization strategies." says Elżbieta Jarosławska-Deja, Technical Manager of Sustainability Certification Schemes and Biomass Global Product Manager at Bureau Veritas.

The designation reinforces Bureau Veritas Poland's role in the country's developing hydrogen economy while connecting to Bureau Veritas' global hydrogen certification network.

"This second recognition is a testament of Bureau Veritas commitment to providing trust and transparency in the clean hydrogen and low emissions fuels sector. Bureau Veritas is a strategic partner supporting hydrogen energy stakeholders throughout the entire value chain," says Laurence Boisramé, Global Director Hydrogen and CCUS at Bureau Veritas. “The EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme provides the transparency needed for renewable hydrogen and its derived fuels to fulfill their potential in Europe's energy transition." 

Matthieu Boisson, Managing Director of CertifHy, added: "The hydrogen and e-fuels industry is undeniably entering a new stage of development, with large-scale industrial projects moving steadily towards operations. Our cooperation with Bureau Veritas, a long-standing world leader in verification and certification services, testifies to our abilities as a market enabler at the global level. Bringing a trusted, independent partner of this caliber into CertifHy’s ecosystem marks a critical step forward in our efforts to support the market for certified hydrogen and e-fuels. This collaboration adds to the credible framework that producers and offtakers need to confidently scale their operations, accelerate global trade, and fulfill the promise of a sustainable hydrogen economy."

Strategic importance for global operations

This expansion of certification capabilities aligns with Bureau Veritas' commitment to supporting decarbonization efforts. With approximately 300,000 audits conducted annually by over 7,400 experienced auditors, Bureau Veritas delivers consistent, high-quality verification services across the globe.

The CertifHy EU RFNBO scheme certification enhances Bureau Veritas' Transition services and renewables portfolio, helping businesses navigate energy transition challenges while ensuring renewable hydrogen production meets rigorous EU standards.

About CertifHy

Founded in 2014, CertifHy is a frontrunner in the realm of renewable hydrogen and e-fuels’ certification, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to empower stakeholders engaged in the energy transition. It operates two schemes — the CertifHy EU Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) Voluntary Scheme and the CertifHy Non-Governmental Certificate (NGC) Scheme — which aims to verify the sustainability and origin of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives. CertifHy also offers precertification, which familiarizes companies with the data collection and documentation processes required for official certification, and an in-house e-learning platform — CertifHy Academy — to equip Economic Operators and Certification Bodies with the expertise needed to navigate the complex landscape of hydrogen certification. It fosters collaboration through its Stakeholder Platform, which invites representatives of the industry, government, and academia to shape the future development of hydrogen certification systems. Together, CertifHy’s robust certification schemes and knowledge-building resources pave the way for a cleaner energy future.

For more information about the CertifHy EU RFNBO Certification Scheme, visit: https://www.certifhy.eu/eu-rfnbo-scheme/