One of the first—and most important—steps in obtaining ISCC certification is correctly defining your scope of certification. The “scope” determines which operations, sites, and materials are covered under your certificate, how audits are conducted, and what sustainability claims you can make in the marketplace. Misunderstanding or under-defining your scope can lead to nonconformities, limited trading flexibility, or even the need for re-certification.
This blog explains how ISCC scopes work and how companies can define their certified activity effectively, whether operating as a collector, trader, processor, or producer.
What “Scope” Means in ISCC
In ISCC, the scope of certification describes the type of activity performed by the certified company and the part of the supply chain where it operates. Each scope comes with specific audit requirements, sustainability criteria, and documentation expectations.
Scopes are grouped under the following categories:
- Farms and Plantations (Point of Origin) – Primary production of crops or other biomass.
- First Gathering Points (FGP) – Collection points that aggregate materials from multiple suppliers, such as used cooking oil (UCO) collectors or grain elevators.
- Processing Units – Facilities that convert raw materials into intermediate or final products, including oil mills, biodiesel plants, ethanol refineries, and hydrogen or e-fuel producers.
- Traders and Storage Facilities – Companies that purchase, sell, or store certified materials without altering them.
- Logistics and Transport Operators – Entities that move certified materials between supply chain participants.
- Waste and Residue Collectors – Specialized entities collecting materials such as UCO, animal fats, or residues from industrial or agricultural processes.
Each certified company may hold one or more scopes depending on its operations, but every scope must be clearly defined during application and reflected on the ISCC certificate.
Why Defining the Right Scope Matters
Getting the scope right ensures that:
- Your certificate reflects all relevant operations. Missing activities (like trading or storage) can invalidate sustainability declarations issued for those functions.
- Audits are efficient and focused. Auditors assess only the processes within your defined scope, reducing unnecessary complexity.
- You can issue or receive sustainability declarations correctly. Only entities with an appropriate scope may participate in ISCC-certified transactions.
- You remain compliant with RED II/RED III and national schemes. Regulatory acceptance depends on your certificate accurately representing your role in the supply chain.
Example:
A company collecting used cooking oil and selling it to a biodiesel producer must certify under both Collector and Trader scopes if it performs both functions. Certifying as a collector alone would not allow it to issue sustainability declarations for sales beyond the first gathering point.
Multi-Site and Group Scopes
Companies with multiple operational sites can simplify certification through multi-site or group certification models.
- Multi-site certification applies when one legal entity manages several physical sites under a single management system.
- Group certification allows several independent entities (for example, small collectors) to operate under one central management system coordinated by a lead organization.
In both cases, ISCC auditors assess the central management system and perform risk-based sampling of individual sites during audits.
Updating Your Scope Over Time
ISCC certification is dynamic. When your business expands—by adding a new product line, trading activity, or storage facility—your scope must be updated. This typically requires a scope extension audit or review during the next surveillance or recertification audit.
To avoid interruptions:
- Notify your certification body (CB) as soon as operational changes occur.
- Keep an updated list of sites, suppliers, and feedstock types in your management system.
- Review ISCC System Document 201 for the latest definitions and eligibility criteria for each scope.
How AmSpec Helps Companies Define Their Scope
AmSpec supports clients at every step of the certification process—from defining the correct scope to maintaining compliance through annual audits. Our experts:
- Help determine the most suitable scope(s) based on business activities and future growth plans.
- Conduct readiness reviews to identify missing documentation or system controls.
- Streamline multi-site and group certification models for efficient audits.
- Provide ongoing guidance when expanding operations or adding new feedstock types.
Getting your scope right from the start ensures smooth certification, regulatory compliance, and full trading flexibility across global sustainability markets.
With AmSpec’s global network of ISCC auditors and technical specialists, your certification will accurately reflect your activities and be ready to adapt as your business grows within the renewable fuels and circular materials economy.