Low carbon hydrogen certification

TÜV SÜD’s standard CMS 77 certificate establishes criteria for setting up systems, assessing applicability, measuring carbon footprint, measuring & monitoring, and verifying low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives. This standard is applicable to all companies worldwide, aiding them in meeting sustainability criteria and helping them to demonstrate their sustainable claims for low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives production.

The Importance of Low Carbon Hydrogen and its Derivatives

Low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, are pivotal in combating climate change, driving the transition to cleaner energy, and promoting sustainable economic growth worldwide. Nowadays, replacing fossil fuel value chains is an immediate objective, the emergence of a low carbon economy is marked by new low carbon production technologies, cleaner energy solutions, and carbon sequestration.

The importance of low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, is amplified by its versatility, finding applications ranging from being an energy source to fueling mobility and industrial processes as well as feedstock. Given that a fully renewable future with green hydrogen and its derivatives might take some time, low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives are proving to be immediate alternatives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Why do you need to be certified for producing low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives?

• Certification help to verify and demonstrate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in hydrogen and its derivatives production through an independent partner.
• Demonstrate compliance with criteria set in the regulatory framework and help companies to fulfill country obligations.
• Show commitment to a sustainable, future-proof energy supply.
• Certification helps to achieve cross border trade access.
• Certification ensures adherence to global environmental standards and enhances market trust.

CMS 77 standard sets the maximum threshold for greenhouse gas emissions allowed in the production process for hydrogen and its derivative to be considered ‘Low Carbon Product’. The standard defines a minimum of % CO2 equivalent emission reduction from the global benchmarks for low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives.

CMS 77 standard also sets additional requirements for claiming blue hydrogen and its derivatives by mandatory carbon capture and geological storage facility build in consideration for hydrogen and its derivatives to be blue product.

Similar to the green hydrogen certification standard CMS 70, TÜV SÜD has defined the requirements and guidelines for the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint of low carbon hydrogen in a way that’s consistent with international standards, such as:

• ISO 14040: Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
• ISO 14044: Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines
• ISO 14067: Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification
• ISO 27915: Carbon dioxide capture, transportation and geological storage — Quantification and verification
• ISO 17029 Conformity assessment — General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies/

The Certification Process at TÜV SÜD

The low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives certification process at TÜV SÜD follows six general steps: