DEKRA Approved as Cooperating Certification Body for the CertifHy EU Voluntary Scheme
Brussels, 18/03/26 – CertifHy announces that DEKRA Certification has been approved as a cooperating Certification Body under the CertifHy EU Voluntary Scheme.
With this recognition, DEKRA Certification is authorized to perform certification, precertification, and recertification audits in accordance with the scheme, enabling economic operators to demonstrate compliance with the European Union’s requirements for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO). Certification under the scheme verifies sustainability criteria, traceability, and greenhouse gas methodology for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.
Approval under the CertifHy EU Voluntary Scheme follows a rigorous qualification process for cooperating Certification Bodies. Certification Bodies must hold relevant accreditation from a recognized National Accreditation Body, formally commit to CertifHy’s procedures through a Cooperation Agreement, and deploy auditors trained and qualified through the CertifHy Academy. Only Certification Bodies cooperating with CertifHy under this process are authorised to conduct certification audits within the scheme, ensuring consistency and reliability for economic operators seeking RFNBO certification.
The CertifHy EU Voluntary Scheme applies to hydrogen placed on the European market, regardless of where it is produced. Producers both inside and outside the EU can use certification under the scheme to demonstrate compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) requirements for RFNBOs, including sustainability and greenhouse gas criteria. This allows market participants to obtain RFNBO recognition in the European Union and capture the regulatory and commercial value associated with compliant renewable hydrogen.
“As the hydrogen sector enters an implementation phase, reliable and operational certification becomes essential,” said Matthieu Boisson, Managing Director of CertifHy. “Certification Bodies cooperating with CertifHy such as DEKRA enable economic operators to demonstrate compliance in a credible and harmonised manner, which is critical for market confidence, financing decisions, and cross-border trade of renewable hydrogen.” By expanding the network of cooperating Certification Bodies, CertifHy increases access to reliable certification while maintaining a harmonised approach across the renewable hydrogen market.
“As hydrogen projects move from development to operation, certification is becoming a key component of project bankability and market access. Independent verification allows producers and other operators across the value chain to substantiate the renewable character of hydrogen, meet regulatory obligations, and access European demand”, added Amparo Langa, Managing Director of DEKRA Certification S.L., Spain.