APPLYING FOR IBI BIOCHAR CERTIFICATION

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Updated August 2014 – Phase 1

IBI Biochar Certification Process Flow

Registration and Application Process

Biochar manufacturers must apply for IBI biochar certification using our online application system.

All biochar manufacturers that are seeking certification for thier biochar(s) must submit 1) a registration form and then 2) an application form.

  1. Registration: The registration form requests contact and basic biochar identification information. Upon submission of the registration form, all applicants will receive an email receipt together with a product registration number for the product to be certified. This number will be used to track the biochar material through the entire certification process. After registration, applicants will have 60 days to submit their formal completed application for IBI biochar certification.(Note that in order to register, applicants are not required to be IBI members but are required to develop a profile in IBI’s online system. All active IBI dues-paying members and contacts who receive IBI’s monthly newsletter have an IBI profile. For applicants who do not have an existing profile in IBI’s system, the registration form will create a profile).
  2. Application: The application form requests detailed information about the biochar and also requires the applicant to upload required documentation. All biochar manufacturers/applicants will receive an email receipt of their online application submission.

Confidentiality

Fees

There is no fee for biochar registration, but this is a required step for applicants.

The fee for submitting an application for IBI biochar certification is US$500 per biochar.

Application Requirements

The following are requirements to submit a full application for IBI biochar certification.

  1. Only the biochar manufacturer may submit an application. For the purposes of the IBI Biochar Certification Program, biochar manufacturers are defined as the party or parties who thermochemically convert(s) feedstock material into biochar.
  2. Payment of the certification application fee at the time of submission of the application form.
  3. Completion of the online Application Form for IBI Biochar Certification.
  4. Provision of the following required documents:

Geographic Restriction

Phase 1 of the IBI Biochar Certification Program is focused only on implementation in the United States and Canada. Until further notice, IBI will only accept applications from biochar manufacturers in the United States and Canada. IBI intends to expand the IBI Biochar Certification Program scope internationally in the future as resources permit.

Required Documentation

IBI Feedstock Chain of Custody Form

Chain of custody and biochar traceability provide necessary assurances that adequate care and transparency has been exercised to enable trace-back of biochar from feedstock providers to biochar manufacturers through to end-users.

Required Laboratory Tests

  • Test Category A – Basic Utility PropertiesRequired for all biochars. This set of tests measures the most basic properties required to assess the utility of a biochar material for use in soil.
  • Test Category B – Toxicant ReportingRequired for all biochars. Includes threshold requirements for potential toxicants including heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxins/furans. Biochars made from processed feedstocks must be tested more frequently than biochars made from unprocessed feedstocks.
  • Test Category C – Advanced Analysis and Soil Enhancement PropertiesOptional for all biochars. Biochar may be optionally tested for advanced analysis and enhancement properties in addition to meeting test requirements for Test Categories A and B. Biochar manufacturers may report on none, one, some, or all of the properties in Test Category C.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control form

Biochar manufacturers must request a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) form from each laboratory used to test their product as part of the IBI Biochar Certification Program. Laboratories are free to use proprietary or self-generated QA/QC forms.

IBI does not prescribe production and handling expectations for biochar, but does recommend that current best industry practices be followed throughout the manufacturing and handling process. It is the responsibility of the biochar manufacturer to create biochar in a safe manner.

Local requirements and regulations for the operation of biochar production facilities must be followed. Where applicable, biochar production must comply with local and international regulatory requirements and treaties that govern thermal processes, the production of volatile and particulate emissions, and the transport of goods. Relevant to local and international regulatory compliance, biochar manufacturers should follow the two recommendations listed below:

IBI may not require these practices as part of its definition and certification of biochar since they do not relate directly to biochar quality, but they are important considerations in good business practice and responsible biochar production, transport and commerce. Most countries provide detailed guidelines, expectations and regulations governing the manufacturing sector and will have relevant information available to industrial operators.

Online Registration Form: Register Your Biochar

Online Application Form: Apply for Biochar Certification Now