EU Publishes 2028 Start Date for Certifier Accreditation

What happened

On 29 October 2026, the EU published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2470, adopted on 28 October. It changes Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2022/996 so that Article 11(1), on certification-body accreditation, applies from 1 January 2028 instead of 1 January 2027.

The regulation says the Commission needs more time to assess whether recognised schemes are suitable for accreditation. Certification bodies also need time to obtain accreditation for their certification scope.

The decision for certifiers and producers

Certification bodies can use the published date to revise their accreditation plans. ISCC advises its cooperating bodies to continue preparations and stay in contact with their national accreditation bodies.

Producers and buyers should confirm their proposed auditor's scheme approval, certification scope, and accreditation plan. Do not treat the extra year as permission to delay project evidence or as an extension of a company's certificate.

HyGOAT implication

SCREEN readiness work should keep the auditor's accreditation plan separate from project MRV and RFNBO export readiness. The amendment changes an audit-governance timetable. It does not relax RFNBO production evidence requirements or amend India's GHCI framework.

Caveats

Publication, entry into force, and application are different dates. Article 2 sets entry into force on the twentieth day after publication. As of 3 November 2026, the adopted amendment is not yet in force.

Check scheme-specific and national arrangements with the certification body. The later application date is not proof that a particular body has completed accreditation.

Sources

• Regulation (EU) 2026/2470, Articles 1 and 2.
• Official Journal text hosted by Spain's BOE, published 29 October 2026.
• ISCC accreditation guidance, reviewed 3 November 2026.