As the global aviation industry increases its focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), credible certification, traceability, and transparent environmental claims are becoming increasingly important.

A recent development in Singapore highlights this direction. Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company Ltd. (SAFCo) has achieved ISCC CORSIA Certification, supporting its activities within the SAF value chain and contributing to the development of a more transparent and credible SAF market.

Alongside the certification, ISCC and SAFCo are collaborating on best practices for managing Sustainable Aviation Fuel Environmental Attributes (EAs), with a focus on strengthening accounting and chain-of-custody approaches.

So, what does this development mean for organizations involved in the SAF supply chain?

What Is ISCC CORSIA Certification?

ISCC CORSIA Certification is an internationally recognized certification framework for demonstrating compliance with sustainability and traceability requirements applicable to CORSIA Eligible Fuels (CEF) under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

ISCC states that ISCC CORSIA is recognized by ICAO for demonstrating compliance with sustainability, traceability, and lifecycle assessment requirements for CORSIA-eligible SAF.

The certification provides a framework for organizations across the SAF supply chain to demonstrate that sustainability claims are supported by documented and verifiable information.

For organizations operating in the aviation fuel sector, this makes SAF certification and supply-chain traceability increasingly relevant as demand for sustainable aviation fuel grows.

Why Is SAF Traceability Important?

SAF does not move directly from feedstock to aircraft. The supply chain can involve multiple parties, including feedstock suppliers, collecting points, traders, processing units, fuel producers, storage facilities, and other downstream actors.

Each stage needs reliable documentation to maintain the integrity of sustainability information.

ISCC’s SAF supply-chain framework uses certification and sustainability declarations to maintain traceability between different supply-chain elements.

This means organizations need to be able to demonstrate:

• Where materials originate
• How materials move through the supply chain
• How sustainability characteristics are maintained
• How relevant information is transferred between supply-chain actors
• How environmental claims are supported by evidence

For this reason, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Traceability is not simply a documentation exercise. It is an important component of maintaining credibility across the SAF value chain.

What Does ISCC CORSIA Certification Mean for SAFCo?

SAFCo was established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to support the implementation of Singapore’s national SAF policy.

Its activities include centralized SAF procurement, aggregation of regulated and voluntary demand, and management of SAF Environmental Attributes.

With its ISCC CORSIA Trader Certification, SAFCo can engage in the buying and selling of SAF and associated Environmental Attributes within a framework supported by sustainability and chain-of-custody requirements.

This development is relevant to Singapore’s position as a major aviation hub and reflects the growing need for credible mechanisms to support the adoption of SAF across the region.

What Are SAF Environmental Attributes?

Environmental Attributes (EAs) represent environmental characteristics or benefits associated with sustainable aviation fuel.

As SAF markets develop, organizations need reliable mechanisms to account for and manage these attributes while maintaining transparency and environmental integrity.

The collaboration between ISCC and SAFCo focuses on developing internationally aligned approaches for:

• Accounting for Environmental Attributes
• Managing chain of custody
• Strengthening transparency and credibility
• Supporting environmental integrity in SAF claims and reporting
• Implementing recognized best practices across the aviation value chain

This is particularly important as SAF markets become more complex and involve multiple stakeholders across different jurisdictions.

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How Does ISCC CORSIA Support the SAF Supply Chain?

The role of ISCC CORSIA Certification extends beyond individual organizations. It supports the broader integrity of the SAF supply chain by establishing requirements for sustainability and traceability.

Depending on their position within the supply chain, organizations may include:

Feedstock and Point-of-Origin Operators → Collecting Points → Traders → Processing Units → Fuel Producers → Blend Points → Aviation Operators

Certification requirements and supply-chain documentation help maintain the flow of sustainability information throughout these stages.

ISCC’s current certification framework identifies ISCC CORSIA and ISCC CORSIA PLUS as schemes applicable to CORSIA-eligible aviation fuels, with the latter incorporating additional sustainability requirements.

Who Needs ISCC CORSIA Certification?

Organizations involved in the production, handling, processing, trading, storage, or supply of materials associated with CORSIA-eligible SAF may need to consider whether ISCC CORSIA Certification is applicable to their activities.

The relevant certification scope depends on the organization’s role within the supply chain and the requirements of its target market.

Potential participants include:

• Feedstock suppliers
• Collecting Points
• Traders
• Traders with storage
• Processing units
• SAF producers
• Fuel suppliers
• Other relevant supply-chain operators

The applicable scope should be determined based on the organization’s actual activities and the requirements of the relevant ISCC scheme.

What Are the Benefits of ISCC CORSIA Certification?

Strengthening Supply Chain Credibility

Certification provides a structured framework for demonstrating sustainability and traceability across the SAF value chain.

Supporting International Market Access

ISCC CORSIA is designed specifically for CORSIA-eligible aviation fuels and supports organizations participating in international SAF markets.

Improving Traceability

Documented chain-of-custody processes help organizations maintain visibility over material flows and sustainability information.

Strengthening Environmental Claims

Independent certification provides greater confidence that sustainability-related information is supported by documented processes and evidence.

Supporting SAF Market Development

Credible certification and accounting mechanisms can help build confidence among fuel producers, traders, aviation operators, regulators, and other stakeholders.

What Should Organizations Prepare for ISCC CORSIA Certification?

Organizations considering ISCC CORSIA Certification should begin by understanding their position within the SAF supply chain and identifying the applicable certification scope.

Key areas to consider include:

1. Define the certification scope
Identify the organization’s role, activities, materials, and products covered by the certification.

2. Establish traceability controls
Ensure that relevant material flows and sustainability information can be traced through the supply chain.

3. Strengthen documentation
Maintain appropriate records supporting material origin, transactions, sustainability characteristics, and chain-of-custody information.

4. Review mass balance and data management
Where applicable, ensure that relevant volumes and sustainability information are consistently recorded and reconciled.

5. Prepare for independent audit
Organizations should ensure that their documented processes and operational practices are ready to be evaluated by an independent Certification Body.

ISCC’s certification process requires Certification Bodies and auditors to meet defined competence and system requirements, supporting the credibility of third-party certification.

The Growing Importance of ISCC CORSIA for SAF

The development of SAF markets is creating greater demand for systems that can demonstrate sustainability, traceability, and credible environmental information.

Recent developments in the SAF sector also show increasing attention to chain-of-custody models, Environmental Attributes, and mechanisms such as Book and Claim that can support wider SAF adoption while maintaining transparency and environmental integrity.

As the SAF ecosystem continues to develop, certification will remain an important component of building trust between organizations across the value chain.

For companies entering or expanding within the SAF market, understanding ISCC CORSIA requirements early can help establish stronger systems for traceability, documentation, and sustainability assurance.

Preparing for ISCC CORSIA Certification?

Whether your organization is exploring ISCC CORSIA Certification, evaluating Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certification, or preparing for an ISCC CORSIA Audit, CBQA Global can help.

Speak with CBQA Global’s Sustainability team to discuss ISCC CORSIA Certification Services, SAF Certification, and your organization’s certification requirements.

Email : marketing@cbqaglobal.com 

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