August 10, 2026. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU is now applicable as an eligible certification scheme under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This marks an important development for companies participating in North American low-carbon fuel and biomass supply chains.
The LCFS is one of the world’s most influential clean fuel programmes. It aims to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in California by incentivizing lower-carbon alternatives and promoting sustainable feedstock sourcing.
The updated LCFS framework recognizes voluntary certification schemes that have already been approved under the European Union Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED), including ISCC EU. This alignment creates new opportunities for market participants seeking to demonstrate compliance with sustainability requirements under the LCFS.
This exciting development comes at a time of growing demand for sustainable biomass and low-carbon fuels across North America and builds on ISCC long-standing engagement with the North American market. While ISCC is widely known for its application under the EU RED, it has also worked for many years with stakeholders across the United States and Canada to support the transition to clean and alternative fuels, as well as to a circular and bioeconomy.
This ongoing engagement is reflected in the ISCC Regional Stakeholder Committee – North America, which has brought together regulators, industry representatives, Certification Bodies, and other experts since 2012.
At the most recent Regional Stakeholder Conference in 2025, CARB presented updates on the LCFS and the role of certification, underlining the close dialogue between ISCC and key regulatory stakeholders. LCFS developments will continue to feature prominently in ISCC’s North America activities.