The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is pleased to announce that Bonsucro certified operators will now be able to access RSB certification through a simplified audit process to demonstrate compliance, therefore saving costs and time.

An RSB study released today concludes that RSB and Bonsucro sustainability standards have significant overlap on most of their requirements. Supported by the ISEAL Alliance, the comparison reveals that Bonsucro certified sugarcane could be de facto considered compliant with most of the RSB’s twelve Principles and Criteria. RSB has additional requirements for Rural and Social Development and Food Security. The complete gap analysis is available upon request via info@rsb.org.

This collaboration between RSB and Bonsucro will enhance the development of advanced biomaterial pathways by increasing the supply of sustainable sugar products and ethanol material to biofuel and bioenergy producers.

“RSB is delighted to work with Bonsucro because it adheres to international best practice and has a genuine roundtable approach that brings together industry and civil society to set its standard for sustainable sugarcane production,” said Rolf Hogan, Executive Secretary of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials. “RSB’s vision is the sustainable production and use of biomass for biomaterials such as biofuel, bioenergy and bioplastics. Credible sustainability standards like Bonsucro can help us achieve that goal.”

“We are pleased to work with the RSB as this enhances Bonsucro’s leadership role in sugarcane certification – 3.66% of the world’s surface under cane is Bonsucro Certified, which equates to 2,638,526 (m3) certified ethanol and 3,793,274 (t) of certified sugar. This collaboration is also an important signal as to how like-minded, credible organizations can create additional value for their beneficiaries,” said Nick Goodall, Chief Executive of Bonsucro.

“The recognition of Bonsucro by RSB is beneficial for both standards and provides a viable framework for cooperation between two standards systems,” says Karin Kreider, Executive Director of ISEAL Alliance, the global association for sustainability standards. “It also reduces costs for companies working towards sustainability in biomaterials; showing how standards-setters can increase their effectiveness to further global conservation efforts.”

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)