Biofuels and biogas in co-processed fuels

The Commission adopted in June 2023 new rules establishing the share of biofuels and biogas in mixed fuels, co-processed using bio-based and fossil-based raw materials, and that can count towards the Renewable Energy Directive target for renewables in transport. The Delegated Regulation (EU/2023/1640) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 18 August 2023 and has been subject to public feedback, several consultations and scrutiny from the European Parliament and the Council.

Under the Renewable Energy Directive, EU countries are obliged to ensure that the share of renewable energy in the final consumption of energy in transport is at least 14% by 2030, including a minimum share of 3.5% of advanced biofuels.

They are also required to set out an obligation on fuel suppliers that ensures the achievement of this target.

The main verification method required in these rules is based on radiocarbon (14C) testing, while some flexibility is also allowed to use it in combination with other company or process-based testing methods.

Union Database for Biofuels

Since 15 January 2024, the Commission’s Union Database for Biofuels (UDB) is open for online registration by the relevant economic operators of transactions of liquid renewable and recycled carbon fuels. The database was foreseen under Article 31a of the 2018 Renewable Energy Directive to improve traceability of biofuels, avoid double counting, and address concerns about fraud.

The Union database is a global traceability tool to trace consignments of renewable and recycled carbon fuels and the respective raw materials used for their production - from the point of origin of the raw materials to the point where fuels are put on the EU market for final consumption. It will help ensure market transparency and traceability in the supply chain for such fuels, mitigating the risk of irregularities and fraud and thereby supporting efforts to meet the ambitious EU decarbonisation targets.

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