Green hydrogen regulatory compliance: 3.38 kgCO₂eq/kgH₂ answered in 3 seconds.

RED III (Directive 2023/2413/EU) and its Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 set the GHG intensity threshold for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), including green hydrogen, at 3.38 kgCO2eq per kgH2 — equivalent to 70% GHG savings compared to the fossil fuel comparator of 94 gCO2eq/MJ. The calculation follows the methodology in Annex V and Article 28 of RED III: lifecycle emissions must be assessed from electricity generation through electrolysis, compression, storage and dispensing. The electricity input must be from renewable sources demonstrably additional, temporally correlated and geographically correlated with the production facility. Temporal correlation requires hourly matching from January 2030 (annual matching allowed until then). If grid electricity is used, the average grid emission factor applies and most grids will not meet the threshold. IgeraIndustria retrieves the applicable calculation methodology, temporal and geographical correlation requirements, and the delegated act provisions that apply to each production pathway.

ISO 22734:2023 covers design and safety requirements for water electrolysis systems used to produce hydrogen. Key clauses include: Clause 5 (General requirements) — electrolyser system design, material compatibility with hydrogen and electrolyte, protection against overpressure; Clause 6 (Construction) — cell stack design, membrane/diaphragm requirements for PEM and alkaline technologies, hydrogen/oxygen separation; Clause 7 (Performance) — efficiency measurement methodology (kWh/Nm3), purity requirements (ISO 14687 Grade D or higher for most applications); Clause 9 (Tests) — factory acceptance test (FAT) and site acceptance test (SAT) protocols, leak test procedures, functional safety verification; Clause 10 (Marking and documentation) — nameplate data requirements, installation and operation manual content. ISO 22734 is harmonised for CE marking under the PED (2014/68/EU) for pressure-containing electrolyser components. The standard does not cover the full system balance of plant — piping, compression and storage are addressed by ISO 15649 and EN ISO 15649 respectively.

Both are voluntary certification schemes but differ in scope, methodology and market recognition. CertifHy (European) was the first EU scheme, developed under the FCH JU, and issues Guarantees of Origin (GOs) for green and low-carbon hydrogen separately. It defines green hydrogen as produced from renewable electricity with GHG intensity below 36.4 gCO2eq/MJ (equivalent to 60% savings). The GHC (Green Hydrogen Certification) scheme by the Green Hydrogen Organisation is global in scope and aims to become the international reference, aligning closely with the RFNBO definition of RED III (70% GHG savings, 3.38 kgCO2eq/kgH2). Key differences: (1) CertifHy issues transferable GOs traceable via registries; GHC issues certificates linked to specific production batches. (2) GHC includes a graded colour classification (green, gold, platinum) based on GHG intensity tiers. (3) For EU Hydrogen Bank auctions, compliance with the RED III RFNBO delegated act is the compliance baseline — not GHC or CertifHy, though these can facilitate audit evidence. IgeraIndustria maps your production pathway to the applicable scheme requirements and the RED III compliance documentation needed.

Hydrogen storage facilities must be classified as explosive atmospheres under Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX Workplace) and designed to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU equipment requirements. Zone classification for hydrogen: Zone 0 — inside pressurised vessels, pipelines and electrolyser stacks where hydrogen is continuously present; Zone 1 — areas where explosive hydrogen-air mixtures may be present during normal operation, including the immediate vicinity of vents (typically 1 m radius), flange joints, compressor seals and dispenser connections. Zone 2 — areas where explosive atmospheres are not expected during normal operation but may occur in abnormal conditions, including areas around Zone 1 boundaries (typically extending 1 m to 3 m depending on ventilation). Hydrogen has a lower explosive limit (LEL) of 4% and upper explosive limit (UEL) of 75% — significantly wider than hydrocarbons. IEC 60079-10-1 gas group classification: IIA for propane reference, IIB for ethylene, IIC for hydrogen (most stringent) — equipment for hydrogen must be Group IIC, temperature class T1 or higher. ATEX documents (zone drawings, equipment registers, inspection programme) must be maintained and updated when plant layout changes.

Compressed hydrogen is classified as a flammable gas under ADR Class 2.1, UN 1049 (hydrogen, compressed). Key transport requirements: Packaging — approved pressure vessels (type 1 to type 4 composite cylinders) or tube trailers conforming to ADR Chapter 6.2 (P200 packing instruction or portable tanks T50). Cylinders must bear ADR marks and undergo periodic inspection (internal inspection every 5 years, hydraulic test every 10 years for most designs). Vehicle requirements — EX/II or EX/III vehicle for total hydrogen quantities above ADR thresholds; FL vehicle for tube trailers. Driver training — ADR Certificate of Training for Drivers (1.3 training minimum; full ADR certificate for quantities above exemption thresholds). Documentation — transport document stating UN number, proper shipping name (HYDROGEN, COMPRESSED), class 2.1, total quantity, consignee and emergency telephone. Tunnel code E applies — restricting certain tunnels. Mixed loading prohibitions: cannot co-load with UN 1072 (oxygen, compressed) or other oxidising gases. IgeraIndustria retrieves the applicable ADR provisions by packing group, quantity and transport unit type.

The EU Hydrogen Bank (Innovation Fund) auctions for green hydrogen under the RFNBO mechanism require applicants to meet: (1) Compliance with RED III RFNBO delegated act — electricity must be from renewable sources, additive, with temporal correlation (annual matching until 2030, hourly from 2030) and from the same bidding zone or adjacent zone (geographical correlation). (2) GHG intensity threshold — 3.38 kgCO2eq/kgH2 or lower, verified by an accredited third-party certification body. (3) Project maturity — minimum FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) completion, permits obtained or in advanced stage, grid connection agreement or power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable generator. (4) Financial viability — minimum equity committed, no double funding with other EU schemes (IPCEI, CEF, etc.). (5) Reporting obligations — quarterly production reports, annual third-party verification of GHG intensity and renewable electricity certificates. The support is provided as a fixed premium per kgH2 produced (EUR/kgH2) over the contract duration (typically 10 years). IgeraIndustria can retrieve the published auction terms, eligibility conditions and documentation checklist for submitted bids.