SBP Standards
The SBP Standards form the foundation of our certification scheme – a comprehensive framework of requirements, processes and procedures designed to assess and validate an organisation’s compliance with clearly defined sustainability and assurance criteria.
Since the launch of our first Standards (v1.0) in 2015, SBP has maintained a commitment to continuous improvement. This led to a full review and revision process, culminating in the publication of our updated Standards (v2.0) in May 2023. These revised Standards came into effect in August 2023, with Certificate Holders required to transition to the new requirements by November 2025.
The scheme is structured around six Standards, each serving a distinct purpose within the certification scheme:
Standard 1
Establishes SBP’s definition of good biomass and forms the cornerstone of the scheme. Built around principles, criteria and indicators, it sets out the objectives, the requirements needed to achieve them, and the auditable measures used to assess compliance.
Standards 2, 4, 5 and 6
Are process‑oriented, detailing the specific steps and responsibilities that apply to different roles within the biomass supply chain.
Standard 3
Sets out the requirements for Certification Bodies, governing how evaluations are planned and conducted, how compliance is assessed, how non‑conformances are managed, and how certification decisions are made and maintained.
Mapping SBP Standards to supply chain roles
Every organisation in the biomass supply chain plays a unique role, and the SBP Standards reflect that.
Your business model determines your Certificate Holder type, the scope of your certification, and the Standards that guide your operations. This infographic brings clarity to those relationships, showing how each Standard aligns with real‑world supply chain roles.
