2026 Certificate Holder survey results

Earlier this year, we invited all Certificate Holders to complete a short survey about our performance and their level of satisfaction with day-to-day interactions with SBP. We also asked for insights into their future business aspirations to help us better understand how we can support them.

We received responses from all Certificate Holder types, with the vast majority based in Europe (73%), followed by Asia (13%) and North America (10%). Here are the key findings:

• Satisfaction: 94% of respondents rated SBP at 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the highest). Over 60% reported being satisfied or more than satisfied with our responsiveness to queries, quality of responses, communications (bulletins and social media), and our key platforms – the Data Transfer System (DTS), Audit Portal, and website.
• Added value: 88% said that SBP has added value to their business.
• Top benefits: The most valued benefit is regulatory acceptance and compliance, closely followed by SBP’s role in facilitating trade in the biomass market.
• Challenges identified: The most frequently cited challenges were conducting risk assessments, risk mitigation, and collecting audit report (SAR) data.
• Written materials: At least 60% of respondents are satisfied or more than satisfied with our Annual Review, Standards documents, and guidance and interpretative documents; more than 50% are satisfied or more than satisfied with our process documents.
• Certification Body performance: Around 80% are satisfied or more than satisfied with their Certification Body’s technical understanding. More than 60% are satisfied or more than satisfied with the resource levels, responsiveness, timeliness, and problem-solving of their Certification Body to queries.
• Awareness of SBP: 71% rated awareness of SBP among their stakeholders at 3 or higher (with 5 being very aware).
• SBP impact: Respondents believe SBP has a positive influence on stakeholders’ views in relation to sustainable development, preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, decarbonisation, supporting local communities, social justice, and engagement with Indigenous Peoples, with themes presented in order of emphasis.
• Credibility of SBP: 63% believe SBP is credible beyond the economic actors in the biomass supply chain.

In addition to these headline results, we received valuable free-text comments, which, together with the survey findings, we are actively reviewing as input to our ongoing workstreams. These insights are helping to inform improvements across the SBP scheme, with changes being progressively implemented to better meet the needs of our Certificate Holders.

A year-on-year comparison between 2026 and 2025 shows higher satisfaction, awareness, credibility, and Certification Body performance in 2026, alongside a slight dip in perceived added value and ongoing operational challenges.

Thank you to everyone who participated – your feedback is crucial in helping us enhance the SBP experience.