Blog, Carbon Mitigation, Carbon Neutral, Carbon Reduction Plans, Construction, Events, Net Zero Carbon, News, Sustainability
EU Introduces First Voluntary Certification Rules for Permanent Carbon Removals
Feb
The EU has introduced the “world’s first” voluntary rules for certifying permanent carbon removals under its Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) framework. The new standards set out how independent certifiers must assess and verify projects that permanently remove CO₂, with the aim of making carbon removal credits more consistent and auditable across the EU.
The rules cover three permanent removal pathways:
- Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS)
- Biogenic Emissions Capture with Carbon Storage (BioCCS)
- Biochar carbon removal
Each methodology defines how removals are measured, how long term permanence is demonstrated, and how risks such as leakage and liability must be managed. A certified tonne of CO₂ must meet EU criteria on quantification, permanence, and sustainability.
The regulation now enters a 2 month scrutiny period with the European Parliament and Council. If approved, it’s expected to be published in early April 2026 and enter into force 20 days later, allowing certification schemes to begin applying for recognition.
Further EU rules are planned for 2026, covering carbon farming activities and carbon storage in bio based construction materials, alongside early market support such as an EU Buyers’ Club. These developments sit within a wider international push to strengthen integrity in voluntary carbon markets.
The introduction of these rules marks a new phase in the credibility of permanent removals, and Circular Ecology recognise the importance of this step for the broader carbon landscape across Europe and beyond.
