On 10 June the European Commission announced it will encourage industry, governments and NGOs to set up certification schemes for all types of biofuels, including those imported into the EU. The announcement also outlined what the schemes must do to be recognised by the Commission.

The reason behind the decision is to help implement the EU's requirements that biofuels must deliver substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and should not come from forests, wetlands and nature protection areas. The rules for certification schemes are part of a set of guidelines explaining how the Renewable Energy Directive, coming into effect in December 2010, should be implemented.

Günther Oettinger, Commissioner responsible for Energy, said, "We have to ensure that the biofuels used are also sustainable. Our certification scheme is the most stringent in the world and will make sure that our biofuels meet the highest environmental standards. It will have positive effects also on other regions as it covers imported biofuels."

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