Certification schemes

The Commission can recognise certification schemes as compliant with the rules set out by the CRCF Regulation, as well as its related Delegated Regulations and Implementing Regulations.

Whether market-based or operated by governmental authorities, certification schemes play a key role in ensuring carbon removals and soil emission reductions are robust, credible, and durable, while also supporting broader sustainability objectives – including the promotion of biodiversity. 

By granting recognition, the Commission confirms that a certification scheme complies with the relevant CRCF certification methodologies and the minimum requirements set out in the Implementing Regulation 2025/2358.

Recognition process

Certification schemes may apply for recognition by the Commission for one or more CRCF certification methodologies that have already entered into force. Applications are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To begin the process, applicants must submit by email to clima-carbon-removalsec [dot] europa [dot] eu (clima-carbon-removals[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu):

• The completed CRCF assessment protocol
• All the relevant scheme documentation to the designated functional mailbox

The recognition process includes the following steps:

1. Submission of application: Certification schemes submit the required documentation to the European Commission.
2. Eligibility and completeness check: The Commission verifies that the submitted documentation is complete.
3. Technical compliance assessment: The application is assessed against the applicable CRCF requirements.
4. Communication of assessment results: The Commission issues a technical compliance report indicating, for each requirement, whether it is “compliant”, “non-compliant”, or requires “clarification”.
5. Clarification and revision phase (if applicable): Where necessary, the scheme may provide clarifications or revise its submission. This iterative exchange may continue until all outstanding issues are fully addressed.
6. Confirmation of compliance: This step is reached once the assessment confirms that no remaining compliance gaps exist.
7. Formal recognition: The Commission adopts a formal decision recognising the certification scheme. Typically, the recognition Decision has a legal period of validity of 5 years.

To be recognised by the Commission, certification schemes will also need to be evaluated for their suitability for accreditation by the relevant National Accreditation Body or, for schemes located in third countries, by the European Cooperation for Accreditation. This process will be carried out in parallel and will feed into the Commission’s technical compliance assessment. Therefore, as soon as applying for Commission’s recognition, certification schemes should also contact their National Accreditation Body or the European Cooperation for Accreditation.

Recognition criteria

For a certification scheme to be recognised by the Commission, it must fulfil the rules set out in the Implementing Regulation 2025/2358 and in the relevant Delegated Regulations setting out CRCF certification methodologies.

For instance, these rules require certification schemes to:

• have a robust and transparent governance, and effective internal monitoring system
• require operators to apply the relevant CRCF certification methodologies
• require operators to be audited regularly by accredited or recognised certification bodies
• operate reliable certification registries that prevent double counting and ensure the traceability of certificates throughout their lifecycle

Applications

So far, the Commission has received applications for recognition under the CRCF Regulation from the following certificaton schemes:

Events

• 1 June 2026 - Webinar: Recognition of certification schemes under CRCF Regulation

CRCF newsletter

Get the latest Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming updates straight to your inbox, subscribe here!