Carbon Standards, an independent standard and registry based in Switzerland, has launched a 30-day public consultation for its new EU BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More Carbon Removal Standard (EU BCR). The framework provides a certification methodology designed to align permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) via biochar activities with the European Union Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF). Operating as a specialized track under the organization’s existing Global Biochar C-Sink Standard, this methodology applies specifically to biochar production facilities and end-use storage locations operating within EU member states. The public feedback period is scheduled to run through September 24, 2026.

The primary challenge addressed by this initiative is the lack of standardized, regulatory-compliant certification pathways tailored to European Union carbon removal policies. As the European Commission advances its voluntary framework for certifying carbon storage, biochar project developers have required clear mechanisms to verify that permanent carbon removal units meet explicit regional criteria. Without direct alignment between independent registries and regulatory frameworks like the CRCF, operators face market fragmentation, complex compliance barriers, and uncertainty regarding the eligibility of their generated credits within European markets.

To address this gap, Carbon Standards established a structured methodology covering biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More sourcing, feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More classification, digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV), alongside mandatory European Biochar Certificate (EBC) compliance. The framework introduces two distinct certification pathways to account for end-use variations. Track A establishes protocols for agricultural and land applications, including direct soil placement, compost blending, and livestock manure integration. Track B addresses industrial applications, specifically governing the physical incorporation of biochar into durable construction materials such as cement, concrete, and asphalt.

This development provides European biochar project developers with a direct route to issue CRCF-compliant permanent carbon removal credits while enabling existing Global Biochar C-Sink Standard projects to add EU BCR certification. By standardizing tracking from initial production to final application, the methodology establishes full supply chain accountability. Ultimately, the initiative clarifies verification pathways for both agricultural and material sequestration, assisting the biochar sector in integrating into formal European carbon accounting structures.