Quality and Integrity Management – 5 Ways of Insuring Transparency and Quality
1. Continuous Improvement Process
ISCC continuously monitors its processes and structures.
The quality management aims for consistency in all activities related to ISCC, especially with regards to the practical implementation and the secure and credible verification of compliance with the ISCC System.
The ISCC system is continuously revised and adapted according to the latest scientific findings, feedback from stakeholders practical experiences, as well as best practices.
2. ISCC Academy: Training Programme
ISCC has developed a specific training programme for auditors, certification bodies (CBs), system users and other interested stakeholders covering different topics of ISCC.
The following training courses have been established within the ISCC Academy:
- ISCC Basic Training
- ISCC PLUS Training
- ISCC CORSIA Training
- ISCC Greenhouse Gas Training
- ISCC RFNBOs Training
- ISCC Waste and Residues Training
- ISCC Plantation Audit Training
- ISCC Training for Independent Smallholders
- ISCC ARIA Training
3. Dialogue with Certification Bodies (CBs) and Feedback Mechanisms
Continuous exchange with certification bodies regarding the application of ISCC.
ISCC organises regular meetings with representatives of the recognized CBs. The aim of those meetings is to exchange practical feedback and experiences from the application of ISCC, to discuss best practices, to identify potential risks to the system and to facilitate improvements of the system.
CBs cooperating with ISCC must have an adequate quality management system in place, reflecting the relevant aspects of ISCC appropriately.
4. Multistakeholder Approach
Involvement of different stakeholders and decision-making processes based on consensus.
ISCC is a multi-stakeholder organization that allows the involvement of all interested parties through the engagement as members in the ISCC Association, by participating in Stakeholder Committees, the regional stakeholder dialogue and Working Groups, or by giving feedback to ISCC through public sector consultation. ISCC also supports the dialogue with authorities to provide feedback and valuable information which are used for continuously improving the system, and to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the RED II.
5. ISCC Integrity Programme
ISCC Integrity Programme to ensure consistent, objective and reliable audit and certification processes.
Objectives of the ISCC Integrity Programme
- Monitoring audit activities of certification bodies (CBs) and companies` compliance with ISCC requirements
- Implementation of an objective, consistent and reliable audit and certification process
- Valuable feedback for ISCC to further develop the system and for companies and CBs to improve processes and compliance
ISCC Integrity Assessments are planned randomly or on a risk basis after risk evaluations, complaints or reports of non-conformity or fraud. Integrity Assessments are conducted by ISCC Integrity Auditors and can take place in any country where CBs carry out activities and audits in the framework of ISCC. ISCC Integrity Auditors must be independent and free of any conflicts of interest. The ISCC Integrity Auditor carries out an evaluation of the conformity of the certified system user on the basis of the applicable ISCC requirements. The results of this assessment are then compared with the CB’s audit report of the last regular certification audit. ISCC does not charge any costs to the participants.
The Integrity Assessments take place additionally to the annual certification audits of the ISCC system users conducted by the CBs and additionally to the controls or “witness audits” conducted by the bodies responsible for the recognition or accreditation of the CBs. This ensures highest integrity of the certification scheme and the claims made under the scheme.
The participation of ISCC system users in ISCC Integrity Assessments is mandatory. Refusal to participate may be considered a critical non-conformity with the ISCC requirements and will be sanctioned.
Criteria to Select Candidates for Integrity Assessments
Candidates for ISCC Integrity Assessments (System Users, CBs and auditors) are selected partly randomly and partly on risk-based criteria.
General criteria
- All System Users and CBs are taken into account for the random selection
- Indication of non-compliance or fraud
Risk-based criteria:
System User
- Location / Region
- Scope
- Application of Individual GHG calculation
- Type(s) of material handled as sustainable
- Certification history
Risk-based criteria:
CB / Auditor
- Amount of ISCC certificates issued
- Amount of audits conducted by auditor
- General performance of CB / auditor
Report to the European Commission for the Calendar Year 2023
The results of monitoring activities on Certification Bodies and System Users in the context of the ISCC Integrity Programme as reported to the European Commission can be found here.
Further Information
ISCC EU 102 Governance
This document lays down the general principles according to which the ISCC is governed globally. It specifies the goal and internal structure of ISCC, as well as the relationship between ISCC and its stakeholders.