Carbon removals and carbon farming play a central role in achieving EU climate neutrality by extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it safely and durably. By leveraging biological resources, scientific excellence and industrial prowess, carbon removals and carbon farming help decarbonise the EU economy, replace fossil-based materials with EU-grown bio-based alternatives, and strengthen the resilience of EU bio-based supply chains. They also contribute to a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness, improve geopolitical security, and achieve resource independence.
As a fundamental step to build trust in carbon removals and carbon farming while creating a competitive, sustainable and circular economy, the Commission adopted the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU) 2024/3012. The CRCF Regulation established the first EU-wide voluntary certification framework for:
- permanent carbon removals
- carbon farming
- carbon storage in products
In November 2025, the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358 laying down rules on certification schemes, certification bodies, and audits under Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 has been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
This Implementing Regulation (IR) includes, inter alia:
■ Certification bodies appointed by certification schemes shall be accredited according to EN ISO/IEC 17065 by a national accreditation body pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 or be recognised by a national competent authority as being competent to cover the scope of this Regulation or the specific scope of the certification scheme. When a certification body conducts verification activities, either with its internal resources or with other resources under its direct control, it shall also meet the applicable requirements of EN ISO/IEC 17029 and EN ISO 14065.
■ Certification schemes shall comply with the rules laid down in IR 2025/2358, and the relevant certification methodologies and the requirements set out in this Regulation shall be eligible for recognition by the Commission. As part of the general assessment of certification schemes, the Commission shall also assess, after consulting the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA), if the rules and protocols of the certification schemes are suitable for the accreditation of certification bodies in accordance with IR 2025/2358.
To implement the CRCF Regulation, the Commission is carrying out the following 3 activities:
1 – Rules for certification schemes, certification bodies and audits.
In November 2025, the Commission adopted the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358, laying down technical rules on certification schemes, certification bodies, and audits, to harmonise and streamline the certification processes in the context of the CRCF Regulation.
2 – Certification methodologies.
The Commission is adopting a set of certification methodologies for the different types of carbon removal activities, by means of as Delegated Regulations
a) Certification methodology for permanent removals
The first delegated Delegated Act for permanent carbon removals activities has already been adopted by the Commission on 3 February 2026. This Delegated Regulation has been transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for a two-month scrutiny period, which may be extended by a further two months. In the absence of objections, it is expected to be published in the Official Journal in early April, with entry into force 20 days thereafter. Then the Commission can start the official recognition of schemes that certify permanent carbon removal activities.
b) Certification methodology for carbon farming
The draft certification methodologies for carbon farming is published for public feedback until 19 February 2026. Now the Commission is in process of analysing stakeholders comments and to prepare the final draft DA. It expects the formal adoption of this Delegated Act by summer 2026.
3 – Recognition of schemes.
As soon as the Delegated Act for permanent carbon removals activities enters into force, DG CLIMA will start the process of recognizing schemes for the certification of permanent carbon removals.
The recognition will be based on an assessment protocol, listing all the legal requirements to be met by the certification schemes. The requirements are set in the following EU legislative acts:
- Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU/2024/3012)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358
- Delegated Act for permanent carbon removals activities
Further information on the recognition of certification schemes under the CRCF Regulation will be published in April on the DG CLIMA website on carbon removals.
EA is cooperating with the European Commission (DG CLIMA) regarding the implementation of the CRCF Regulation and the IR 2025/2358 and is offering to its members several workshops/trainings on the CRCF Regulation organised by the Commission.
The references of the “EN ISO 20387:2020 Biotechnology – Biobanking – General requirements for biobanking” are published in the Official Journal of the EU as of 23 February 2026.
The references of the “EN ISO 20387:2020 Biotechnology – Biobanking – General requirements for biobanking” are published in the Official Journal of the EU as of 23 February 2026.
