DQS is testing certification procedure for the sustainable production of biomass

On 24 October 2009, DQS Malaysia welcomed representatives of the German Federal Ministery for the Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and DQS Germany. Reason for this visit was a pilot project for the testing of a new certification procedure. It focuses on the verification of a sustainable cultivation of energetic resources and their ecological processing in mills and refineries.

On July 1, 2010 the Biomass-electricity-sustainability-ordinance becomes effective in Germany. It requires liquid biomass like palm oil, canola oil or soy oil to be produced in a way that their use for power production releases 35% less greenhouse gases compared to the use of fossil energy sources like gas or oil. Furthermore, the plants cannot be cultivated on high value natural areas like rainforests or wetlands. The new certification procedure is especially important for companies that use biomass for power production. Based on the German Renewable Energy Sources law and becoming effective in 2010 all plant oils used for power production will only be compensated, if the proof of sustainability can be provided through a successful certification. The new law is Germany’s answer to a European Commission (EC) resolution that defines criteria for sustainably generated biomass for power production.

Palm oil qualifies as an excellent resource for a sustainable energy supply“ says Danny NG, Managing Director of DQS Malaysia. „Besides its use in industrial energy production it also serves as an important resource for the food industry and for cosmetic products. The certification focuses on ensuring the export of palm oil to the European Union and to North America while sustainably protecting flora and fauna“ states Danny NG, who runs the Malaysian office of DQS, the globally active management certification body in Subang Jaya.

Germany is the most important trade partner for Malaysia in the European Union and ranks as No. 10 of all Malaysian trade partners globally. Foreign trade between Germany and Malaysia amounted to 8.37 billion Euro in 2008. Next to Indonesia, Malaysia is one of the biggest producers of palm oil, which has a global production share of 32%, compared to other plant oils.

For more information, you may email us at info@dqs.com.my