By Urszula Szalkowska, managing director, Europe, EcoEngineers

Across global markets, from the European Union (EU) to international aviation and beyond, companies face growing scrutiny from regulators, investors, and society. In that environment, credible, third-party sustainability certification has shifted from a competitive advantage to a market prerequisite. This article distills the key insights from a recent joint webinar hosted by EcoEngineers and LRQA, focused on Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification: what it is, why it matters, and how the four main certification pathways serve different regulatory and market needs.

What Is RSB: Why Does It Matter?

RSB is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous and comprehensive sustainability certification systems in the world. Unlike narrower compliance schemes, RSB takes a holistic approach that covers:

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting
• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria
• Full supply chain traceability
• Strict auditing and verification requirements by accredited certification bodies

RSB is designed not merely to demonstrate compliance, but to deliver credibility and trust, two qualities increasingly demanded by offtakers, regulators, and investors alike. As greenwashing faces heightened regulatory and legal challenge, the integrity of the certification system and the independence of the auditor behind it matters more than ever.
LRQA, with support from EcoEngineers received RSB recognition for certification at the beginning of 2026 ensuring qualification to certify clients under all four RSB pathways described below.

The Four RSB Certification Pathways

1. RSB EU RED: Regulatory Compliance for EU and UK Markets

The RSB EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) scheme is aligned with the EU’s RED III and is formally recognized by the European Commission. This pathway is mandatory for liquid and gaseous fuels, e-fuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and low-carbon marine fuels produced or imported into the EU and the United Kingdom (UK).

Certification under RSB EU RED allows economic operators to:

• Demonstrate compliance with EU sustainability and GHG criteria
• Meet mass balancing and supply chain traceability requirements
• Count fuels toward binding targets under frameworks including RED III, ReFuelEU Aviation, and FuelEU Maritime, and reduce emissions under ETS.

This is regulatory certification in the strictest sense: highly structured, rigorously audited, and critical for market access. Without recognized certification, a product simply does not count toward EU or UK compliance targets.

2. RSB CORSIA: International Aviation and SAF Eligibility

The RSB Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its CORSIA. Sustainability certification under this pathway is required for SAF to be eligible under the CORSIA program, which serves as the primary global market-based mechanism for aviation emissions management.

RSB CORSIA certification verifies that SAF meets:

• Required lifecycle GHG savings thresholds
• CORSIA-specific sustainability criteria
• Supply chain traceability requirements
• As aviation faces intensifying pressure to decarbonize, RSB CORSIA certification is becoming central to SAF market development globally, particularly for producers seeking access to international airline customers and bilateral agreements.

3. RSB Global Fuels: Credibility Beyond Compliance

The RSB Global Fuels standard is a voluntary certification, but voluntary does not mean optional for companies with ambitions beyond their home market. This pathway is particularly valuable in two situations: where regulation is still evolving, and where companies want to demonstrate sustainability leadership ahead of mandatory requirements.

RSB Global Fuels covers a wide range of products, including biofuels, advanced fuels, and emerging pathways. It offers:

• Credibility in markets where regulatory trust frameworks are not yet in place
• Stronger relationships with offtakers who demand verified sustainability credentials
• Potential premium pricing based on certified sustainability performance

For producers operating in dynamic or emerging markets, RSB Global Fuels certification can be the difference between a trusted supply chain partner and an undifferentiated commodity supplier.

4. RSB Global Products: Extending Certification Beyond Fuels

The RSB Global Products standard extends the RSB certification framework beyond fuels into bio-based chemicals, plastics, and other renewable materials, including packaging, pharmaceuticals, and specialty materials. As demand grows for defossilization of industrial supply chains and circular economy solutions, this pathway addresses a critical gap in sustainability verification.

Certification under RSB Global Products allows companies to:

• Verify sustainable sourcing across complex supply chains
• Demonstrate reduced environmental impact compared to fossil-derived alternatives
• Provide credible, audited sustainability claims to customers and regulators

As consumer brands and industrial buyers tighten their supplier sustainability requirements, RSB Global Products certification provides an independent basis for claims that would otherwise be vulnerable to greenwashing accusations.

The Common Thread: Integrity in a World of Heightened Scrutiny

Across all four pathways, one principle is consistent: a certification is only as strong as the system behind it and the people delivering it. Regulators are tightening requirements. Investors are demanding evidence. Offtakers are conducting deeper due diligence. And legal exposure for unfounded sustainability claims is growing.
High-quality auditing and verification are therefore not a compliance checkbox; it is a fundamental enabler of market participation, financing, and long-term trust. EcoEngineers and LRQA bring deep technical expertise in renewable fuels, lifecycle analysis, and sustainability frameworks to every RSB certification engagement, ensuring clients receive verification that withstands regulatory and market scrutiny.

Ready to Pursue RSB Certification?

Whether you are seeking to access EU markets under RED III, qualify SAF for CORSIA, or build credibility in voluntary markets, EcoEngineers and LRQA can guide you through the RSB certification process, from scheme selection and documentation review through audit and ongoing compliance.
Contact uszalkowska@ecoengineers.us to learn which RSB pathway is right for your business and how to get started.

To learn more, visit our website or watch our on-demand webinar, Build Trust with Sustainability: How RSB Strengthens Your Market Position.

About the Expert

Urszula Szalkowska is managing director, Europe, and leads EcoEngineers’ European practice, supporting both European-based clients and international clients doing business in the EU. She advises businesses on compliance with national regulations in European Union Member States (EU MS) and helps navigate the highly regulated renewable energy markets. Ms. Szalkowska coordinates global climate policy and regulations in the U.S. and the EU.

About EcoEngineers

EcoEngineers, an LRQA company, is a consulting, auditing, and advisory firm exclusively focused on the energy transition and decarbonization. From innovation to impact, EcoEngineers helps its clients navigate the disruption caused by carbon emissions and climate change. Its team of engineers, scientists, auditors, consultants, and researchers live and work at the intersection of low-carbon fuel policy, innovative technologies, and the carbon marketplace. For more information, visit www.ecoengineers.us.