Since the start of the war, agricultural producers had to adjust their export logistics and partly shift to growing more profitable crops. The areas for rapeseed and soybeans have increased, while corn remains a stable crop on Ukrainian fields. A large share of these exports is focused on biodiesel, bioethanol production, and animal feed. 

To supply their grain to EU markets, Ukrainian farmers and traders need ISCC EU certification, which confirms sustainability and low carbon emissions. ISCC EU is a global standard for environmentally friendly and responsibly produced biomass, biofuels, and by-products. It sets rules for producing, processing, and trading biomass and biofuels. The standard includes all stages of the supply chain, from growing raw materials to delivering the final product. 

 According to the founder and CEO of I.P.Cert, Oksana Prosolenko, ISCC certification means that agricultural producers meet the requirements of European buyers. This, in turn, provides farmers with access to more profitable markets and confirms their status as reliable partners who comply with the EU sustainability standards. 

“The ISCC standard is a system that offers an approach to accounting for and controlling carbon emissions during the production of various products. ISCC is a global scheme that covers different types of raw materials and markets: food, industrial applications (bio and circular), energy, and feed. The main goal of the standard is to ensure the sustainability of biomass and biofuel supply chains, guaranteeing their environmental, social, and economic compliance with European sustainable development requirements. ISCC EU certification has requirements for supplying oilseeds and corn for biodiesel and bioethanol production. The standard is market-based and voluntary, complying with the RED II Directive. It is also one of the 13 certification schemes recognized by the European Commission,” says Oksana Prosolenko. 

She explains that all exports are now transformed into a format where, along with products like corn, calculated carbon emissions must be provided. In recent years, the demand for the ISCC certification system in Ukraine has significantly increased. 

  “We see strong steps by the EU towards implementing climate strategies in the real sector, and we are starting to feel this. Therefore, small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, need assistance in preparing for certification, as it requires not just documents but the implementation of a whole system. Certification is also costly for farmers. That’s why most agricultural producers certify together with traders who participate in the payment,” says Oksana Prosolenko. 

 If a farmer certifies both as a producer and a trader, the cost of certification can reach up to 4,000 euros. This includes three payments: a payment for the standard, a payment for the independent certification body, and a payment for the consultant who helps prepare for certification. However, this cost is considered an investment, as certification allows for selling rapeseed and corn at better prices and in more markets. 

In addition to financial costs, the ISCC certification process also requires time. Oksana Prosolenko shared that Ukrainian farmers often begin the certification process too late, when they are already prepared to sell their product. 

  “This happens because the first request usually comes at the beginning of sales, and then the question of having a certificate arises. The certification season is typically best undertaken in the spring or already in the fall,” advises the expert.  

ISCC certification is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed annually. Once a company joins the ISCC system, it is required to maintain a mass balance of products and register it in the unified UDP system to ensure transparency and compliance with sustainability requirements at all stages of the supply chain—from cultivation and storage to sales. 

Large agricultural companies have been working with ISCC certification for a long time, but such financial costs are not feasible for all farmers. Currently, according to Oksana Prosolenko, I.P.Cert is negotiating with several international donors to open a support program for farmers to assist with certification costs. 

“If a small farmer undergoes certification with a trader due to lack of funds, they lose independence regarding the sale of certified products. ISCC EU certification becomes a key requirement for Ukrainian agricultural producers to enter the EU market, particularly in the context of sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, for most farmers, especially small and medium-sized ones, obtaining this certification is a financial challenge. Therefore, I hope that in the near future, we will come up with an idea to enable small agricultural businesses to cover the costs of certification. Support through joint certification with traders and the possibility of reimbursing certification costs could help farmers improve market access, meet EU requirements, and achieve better prices for their products,” says Oksana Prosolenko.