Raising the Bar on Chemical Industry Decarbonisation and Carbon Transparency

In a major stride toward a greener and more transparent future, SCS Global Services has launched an industry-first certification aimed squarely at the carbon intensity of chemicals and their co-products. Announced at the ESF North America conference in Houston, the new Carbon Assured programme isn’t just another green badge—it’s a game-changer for the chemical sector and the wider manufacturing landscape.

The certification, grounded in the SCS-115 Certification Standard for Product Carbon Intensity and Reduction, offers third-party verification of greenhouse gas intensity. But more importantly, it backs claims with credible calculations and clear standards. From plastics to polymers, this certification provides companies across the chemical supply chain with a robust tool to quantify, validate and communicate their decarbonisation progress.

“This ground-breaking new certification is just what the chemicals industry, and the consumer-packaged goods industry that relies on them, have been waiting for”: said Scott Coye-Huhn, Vice President of SCS’ Energy, Biomaterials and Circularity division. “Giving organizations a credible way to message consumers about the work they are doing to decarbonize helps build brand loyalty.”

From Calculation to Communication

The backbone of the Carbon Assured programme is its adherence to ISO 14067:2018 standards and the guidance from Together for Sustainability. This ensures that all calculations around greenhouse gas emissions are not only consistent but internationally recognised.

The certification breaks down its decarbonisation strategy into five elective modules, three of which are already in operation:

1. Renewable Electricity
2. Bio Feedstock and Recycled Content
3. Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage
4. Renewable Energy (Coming later this year)
5. Asset Efficiency Improvement (Coming later this year)

By opting into any of these modules, organisations can tailor their approach to sustainability, choosing the pathways that align best with their operations, supply chains and infrastructure. Whether a company is introducing recycled plastics or switching to renewable hydrogen, Carbon Assured allows them to formally document these efforts in a globally recognized framework.

More Than Just Chemicals

The reach of the Carbon Assured certification goes well beyond raw chemical production. It extends to anyone producing or processing fuels, polymers, plastics, or offering products and solutions that reduce carbon intensity. This includes suppliers of renewable electricity, bio-based feedstocks, and technologies that enable carbon capture or asset efficiency improvements.

For the end-user, especially in consumer-packaged goods and manufacturing, the certification unlocks the potential to make meaningful on-product claims—a powerful differentiator in a market where sustainability increasingly drives purchasing decisions.

“We’re seeing a shift where transparency isn’t just expected—it’s demanded,” said Coye-Huhn. “Carbon Assured gives companies a meaningful way to meet that demand.”

Trust and Credibility

Behind the Carbon Assured label is four decades of experience. SCS Global Services, headquartered in Emeryville, California, has long been recognised as a gold standard in third-party environmental certification. Its services span multiple sectors—from agriculture and forestry to construction and consumer goods.

A California-chartered Benefit Corporation, SCS integrates social and environmental good into its business DNA. It is a proud participant of the United Nations Global Compact, aligning itself with global goals for responsible and ethical business. With auditors positioned across every major global region, its influence is both local and international.

SCS’ unique position allows it to support global climate goals in a tangible way. The Carbon Assured initiative reflects not only its leadership in certification but also its commitment to accelerating the global energy transition.

Why Carbon Intensity Certification Matters

As climate reporting becomes a requirement rather than a recommendation, businesses are scrambling to quantify their carbon footprints. Investors, regulators and consumers are all demanding better environmental data, not just lofty promises. That’s where certifications like Carbon Assured step in.

By setting a clear baseline and tracking reductions over time, organisations can demonstrate not just compliance but leadership. For manufacturers and chemical producers, this transparency can lead to preferential supplier status, regulatory incentives, and a stronger position in ESG rankings.

Moreover, Carbon Assured enhances traceability—a key component of modern supply chains. With digital twin technologies and smart labelling systems on the rise, integrating this certification can help businesses map emissions at every node in the supply chain.

Driving Innovation Through Accountability

One of the most compelling aspects of Carbon Assured is its flexibility. The elective module format means innovation is encouraged, not boxed in. A company might pilot a carbon capture solution in one region, test recycled content in another, and combine both under the same certification framework.

This approach fuels progress. Rather than aiming for perfection from the get-go, businesses are incentivised to take meaningful steps and build from there. Incremental improvements become measurable achievements, and each verified milestone adds value to the company’s sustainability narrative.

It also opens doors to collaboration across industries. Energy providers, recyclers, and even logistics firms can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of a single product. With Carbon Assured, these collective efforts can be verified and marketed under a single transparent standard.

Towards a Cleaner Future

The launch of Carbon Assured marks a significant evolution in environmental accountability for the chemical sector. It reflects a broader trend toward making sustainability quantifiable, credible, and actionable.

SCS Global Services, through this initiative, has offered a roadmap for businesses eager to turn environmental aspirations into certified realities. And with the global demand for transparency only growing louder, the timing couldn’t be better.

For manufacturers and material suppliers who wish to stay ahead of the regulatory curve and earn the trust of climate-conscious consumers, Carbon Assured provides a clear, pragmatic path forward.