What is the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard?

The UK Government’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard was introduced in 2022 to support the UK's move towards net-zero emissions. This standard is aimed at hydrogen producers and will help implement the policies outlined in the UK Hydrogen Strategy, Energy Security Strategy, and Powering Up Britain.

What does the Low Carbon Standard mean for hydrogen producers?

If you are a hydrogen producer, or plan to produce hydrogen in the future, compliance with the standard underpins access to UK Government support schemes and demonstrates the carbon intensity of your hydrogen production process to stakeholders.

What are the requirements for compliance?

Compliance with the standard has two key parts: "consignment" compliance and "hydrogen production facility" compliance.

Any hydrogen produced by the plant is assigned to discrete “consignments”. For a consignment to be compliant, it should:

1. have a final greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity less than or equal to 20 gCO₂e/MJ_lhv.
2. be produced at a compliant “hydrogen production facility”.

For a “hydrogen production facility” to be compliant, it should:

1. use an eligible hydrogen production pathway.
2. meet evidence and sustainability requirements for inputs and outputs to the facility.
3. produce monthly reports on emissions intensities of consignments and fugitive emissions risk reduction plans, and an annual fugitive emissions report.
4. have a data collection and monitoring procedure with delivery partners.

How can companies benefit from being compliant?

1. Provides a pathway to access UK Government support schemes.
2. Provides evidence to support investment decisions and to gain stakeholder and consumer confidence.
3. Demonstrates your commitment to a sustainable energy future.

How can TÜV SÜD help you demonstrate compliance with the Standard?

Before production begins:

1. Perform a Critical Review of your GHG accounting based on the UK LCHS and the associated Hydrogen Emissions Calculator (HEC).
2. Perform a Critical Review of plant design to assess compliance readiness.
3. Advise how compliance can grant access to other global hydrogen certification schemes and markets.

Once you are producing:

1. Provide independent third-party verification as per requirements of the standard.

To find out how we can support your business, explore our hydrogen technology services designed to help you ensure your project is safe, efficient and economical.

TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory has also developed the UK’s first mobile primary standard facility for testing hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) to ensure they deliver the correct amount of fuel to OIML R 139 standard.

We also provide the essential testing and certification to ensure your electrolyser is safe and reliable as well as interoperable (renewable energy or power grid).

Contact us to discuss your project with one of our experts or view our range of carbon management services.