Zemo Partnership launches voluntary assurance scheme to strengthen SAF verification

Zemo Partnership has launched RFAS Aviation, a new voluntary assurance scheme designed to provide independent verification of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across the UK supply chain.

Image: Zemo Partnership; courtesy @Sean-Wang, Unsplash

The scheme responds to a critical industry need for a harmonised approach to verifying SAF traceability in the downstream fuel supply chain. The absence of a consistent mechanism has limited the ability of airline operators to demonstrate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and for fuel suppliers to robustly evidence SAF sustainability credentials to customers.

RFAS Aviation builds on the established Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS), widely used in the road transport sector, extending its proven audit and assurance framework into the aviation market and aligning with UK ETS sustainability and chain-of-custody requirements.

The scheme introduces a robust, independent mechanism for verifying the traceability of SAF from the point of blending with conventional aviation fuel across the UK distribution network to the airport. Central to this is the introduction of a standardised SAF Declaration, developed by Zemo Partnership, enabling fuel suppliers to provide verified SAF production pathway, feedstock and lifecycle GHG emissions data.

This SAF Declaration serves as a trusted, auditable record that can be used by airline operators to support emissions reduction claims under the UK ETS, while also enhancing transparency and confidence across the aviation fuel supply chain.

The introduction of RFAS Aviation comes as the UK moves to scale SAF supply through a national mandate, increasing the importance of clear, consistent, and independently verified sustainability reporting across the fuel supply chain.

Gloria Esposito, Director of Sustainable Business, Zemo Partnership, said, “RFAS Aviation provides the independent verification needed to give airlines, suppliers and regulators confidence in the traceability and sustainability of SAF. 

“Our close collaboration with the Environment Agency has been instrumental in ensuring SAF Declarations align with UK ETS requirements and support credible emission reduction claims.”

Zemo Partnership is a UK-based, independent, non-profit organisation that works with government, industry and academia to accelerate the transition to low- and zero-emission transport.