Towards a Sustainable Future with Kiwa’s Upcoming Hydrogen Certification
As the EU shifts towards greater sustainable practices, hydrogen becomes a strong contender for replacing fossil fuels and addressing carbon emissions and climate challenges.
Ramses Sterckx, Lead Contract Engineer in Sustainability and Environment at Vinçotte, shares insights into the hydrogen certification initiative undertaken by Kiwa and Vinçotte, the latter a member of the Kiwa group. “This initiative marks an important step towards enabling Vinçotte to become a hydrogen certification body — further strengthening sustainability efforts and fostering a cleaner, greener future.”
Becoming a Hydrogen certification body
Vinçotte is working towards recognition as a certification body to ensure the origin and sustainability of hydrogen for our customers. To achieve this goal, Vinçotte has applied to become a certification body as part of an EU Voluntary Scheme for certifying RFNBOs (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) — according to the European Renewable Energy Directive. The comprehensive certification scheme is currently in the process of getting recognized by the European Commission.
“The process of applying as a certification body is rigorous, involving meticulous planning and collaboration,” explains Ramses. “We are pleased to soon be able to meet the increasing demand from our customers, who are eager to embrace sustainable practices regarding hydrogen. Upon recognition from the European Commission, we anticipate full certification by summer 2024, allowing us to move forward with our customers on this topic and begin certification processes for them.”
Benefits of Hydrogen certification
"Many benefits are to be seen for our customers and the environment. Certification not only signifies a shift towards a future less reliant on fossil fuels, with RFNBOs emerging as crucial alternatives,” explains Ramses. “The renewable fuel certification scheme also ensures market accountability, actively reducing CO2 emissions and driving the expansion of renewable energy production. Indeed, the requirements for an RFNBO, as stipulated in the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), aim not to derive the current renewable energy production capacity for producing RFNBOs but to add additional renewable energy production. This move demonstrates the market's dedication to sustainability and fosters growth in renewable energy markets.”
Moreover, the certification scheme will play a crucial role in driving the growth of the hydrogen market within the transportation sector and industry, encouraged by regulatory objectives and domestic laws.
Shaping the future of Hydrogen together
“At Vinçotte and Kiwa, we are excited to continue working closely with our clients to navigate any challenges and to stay at the forefront of developments in the hydrogen sector,” concludes Ramses. “Our upcoming certification will propel us in the right direction, enabling us to meet market demands and contribute to a sustainable future. Hydrogen is simply fundamental for sustainability and will power the future and our future generations and it is imperative that our customers strive towards certification.”
If you have any questions about our upcoming hydrogen certification, feel free to email our hydrogen specialists at hydrogen@kiwa.com.