International maritime transport is a large and growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, presenting a growing environmental concern. In response, the International Maritime Organization revised its emissions reduction strategy to aim for net-zero emissions from ships by 2050.

As a result, the European Commission adopted the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (EU MRV) Shipping Regulation (EU) 2015/757 in April 2015 in order to provide for the inclusion of maritime transport activities in the EU Emissions Trading System.

This regulation establishes an EU-wide legal framework for the monitoring, reporting, and verification of CO2 emissions and other relevant information from maritime transport.

It applies to ships above 5,000 gross tonnage, regardless of where the ships or the company is registered, when they visit ports within the European Economic Area. Starting from January 1, 2018, shipping companiess shall monitor their CO2 emissions during journeys to, from, and between EEA ports, and while in EEA ports.

Starting from January 2024, the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has been extended to cover CO2 emissions from all large ships (of 5,000 gross tonnage and above) entering EU ports, regardless of their flag.

Several implementing and delegated acts complement the legislation on the inclusion of maritime emissions in the EU ETS. The Commission published Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2917 on October 20, 2023, addressing verification activities, verifier accreditation, and the approval of monitoring plans by administering authorities. This regulation complements Regulation (EU) 2015/757, particularly regarding harmonized standards, requirements for assessment teams, peer evaluations of national accreditation bodies, and mutual recognition of verifiers.

Accreditation is central to the MRV system, with accredited and impartial verifiers, tasked with verifying annual data in accordance with the EU legislations and international standard.

It ensures that emissions data from ships are accurate and reliable by requiring accredited, impartial verifiers. These verifiers, accredited by National Accreditation Bodies (NABs), check that monitoring and reporting comply with EU law and international standards. This process enhances transparency and compliance, supporting the EU’s climate objectives.

Accreditation upholds data integrity and public trust in the EU MRV system.