SURE-EU certification

SUstainable REsource Verification Scheme

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) III, is the European Union’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED), setting binding targets and sustainability criteria to accelerate the use of renewable energy while ensuring environmental protection and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

SURE is recognised by RED III certification body and received this recognition in May 2025 from the European Commission. The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is the national supporting body for SURE certification on the island of Ireland. RED III certification is required for all biomass systems greater than 7.5 MW.

Certification allows users to confirm and report that all energy produced by their biomass system is RED III–compliant, including compliance with RED III sustainability and forest criteria and is considered carbon-neutral. RED III certification is also available for biogas and biomethane facilities and is expected to become a mandatory requirement for gas to be recognised as renewable.

If you wish to obtain RED III certification, please contact the Irish Bioenergy Association for further information. Noel Gavigan is the primary point of contact and can be reached at noelgavigan@irbea.org.

For more information on SURE Certification go to: https://sure-system.org/en-us/

SURE Certification: Supporting Ireland’s Sustainable Bioenergy Future

As Ireland continues its transition towards a low-carbon energy system, demonstrating the sustainability of biomass and biogas has never been more important. The revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) places greater emphasis on transparency, greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and sustainable sourcing throughout the bioenergy supply chain. SURE (Sustainable Resources Verification Scheme) provides an internationally recognised certification system that enables businesses to meet these requirements with confidence.

What is SURE?

SURE is an independent certification scheme developed specifically for the sustainable production and use of biomass and biogas for electricity, heating and cooling. Operated by SURE GmbH in Bonn, Germany, the scheme provides a practical and robust framework that allows organisations across the entire supply chain, from biomass producers and traders to processors and energy generators, to demonstrate compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas criteria established under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III).

Recognised by the European Commission, SURE combines clear technical requirements with independent third-party auditing, ensuring that certified organisations can provide credible evidence of sustainable sourcing, traceability and emissions performance. The scheme continues to evolve alongside European legislation, helping businesses remain compliant as regulatory requirements develop.

Why RED III Certification Matters

The European Union has significantly strengthened sustainability requirements under RED III. Organisations producing renewable energy from biomass must now demonstrate that their feedstocks meet strict sustainability criteria while also delivering verified greenhouse gas emissions savings.

Certification is becoming an essential requirement for many biomass and biogas installations, particularly larger energy producers. Beyond regulatory compliance, certification provides assurance to customers, investors and policymakers that renewable energy is being produced responsibly and transparently.

For Irish businesses, achieving certification helps to:

Demonstrate compliance with EU sustainability legislation.
Verify greenhouse gas savings across the supply chain.
Improve traceability and transparency of biomass sourcing.
Strengthen confidence among customers, regulators and investors.
Position organisations for future regulatory developments as sustainability requirements continue to expand.

Building Trust Through Independent Verification

One of SURE’s distinguishing strengths is its focus on integrity. The scheme incorporates comprehensive governance structures, independent certification bodies and regular audits to ensure that sustainability claims are supported by objective evidence rather than self-declaration.

The certification process covers not only environmental performance but also robust chain-of-custody systems, documentation, risk assessment and continuous monitoring throughout the supply chain. This helps protect against fraud while maintaining confidence in renewable energy markets across Europe.

Today, thousands of certificates have been issued across Europe, supporting sustainable supply chains for forestry biomass, agricultural biomass, waste-derived biomass and biogas. The growing adoption of the scheme reflects increasing recognition that sustainability verification is fundamental to the long-term credibility of bioenergy.

IrBEA’s Role in Ireland

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is proud to serve as the National Supporting Body for SURE certification on the island of Ireland. This role enables IrBEA to provide guidance and support to organisations seeking certification and to act as the primary point of contact for Irish businesses navigating RED III requirements.

As Ireland’s representative body for the bioenergy, biogas, biofuels and biochar sector, IrBEA works closely with industry stakeholders to promote best practice, facilitate compliance and support the continued growth of sustainable biomass and biomethane markets. By working alongside SURE, IrBEA helps ensure that Irish organisations have access to a certification system recognised across Europe and aligned with evolving legislative requirements.

Preparing for the Future

The transition to renewable energy is increasingly dependent not only on replacing fossil fuels but also on proving that renewable alternatives are genuinely sustainable. As RED III implementation progresses across Europe, certification will play an increasingly important role in maintaining market access and demonstrating environmental responsibility.

SURE offers a practical, transparent and internationally recognised route to compliance, helping businesses build resilience while contributing to Europe’s climate and energy objectives.

Irish organisations involved in biomass, biogas and biomethane are encouraged to engage early with IrBEA to understand how SURE certification can support their compliance strategy and strengthen their position within the evolving renewable energy market.