Greentech Lead Asia: SCS Global Services, a third party environmental certification body, expanded its biofuel certification services in Southeast Asia.
SCS Global Services can now conduct audits under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) program, which will allow biofuel producers in Southeast Asia to meet the requirements for export into the European Union under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Southeast Asian countries are importers of crude oil. Governments in the region are actively promoting biofuel as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum based oils, according to Frost & Sullivan. According to the research agency, the market for biofuel in automotive sector  is estimated to be more than $1.78 billion in 2011.
Companies that achieve ISCC certification can credibly demonstrate that their product is an environmentally beneficial energy source, said Robert J. Hrubes, executive vice president of SCS.
A number of Asian countries have set national goals related to biofuel usage. The governments of Indonesia, Thailand,Â
Thailand has the most mature biofuel market in the region while Malaysia’s market is currently frozen with plants ceasing operations in the wake of unfavorable pricing mechanisms.
The Philippines was found to have experienced significant rise in consumption of biodiesel and ethanol but is still mostly reliant on imports. Indonesia has a rudimentary ethanol market and is looking to enhance the production of biodiesel.
Vietnam is expected to bring blending mandates into play in 2013. The country is also looking to produce its own biofuels such as biodiesel from catfish oil and ethanol from cassava, according to Frost & Sullivan.
Certifications like ISCC can ensure that the expansion of biofuel production will not negatively impact food security and will not create an incentive for deforestation.
SCS also offers certifications for responsibly produced biofuels under the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) and Bonsucro standards.