Comparison guide
CRCF or voluntary standards?
There is no single best standard. The right choice depends on where the project is located, who will buy the units and which reporting framework they must support.
The difference in one line
Private rules or a public European framework
Voluntary standards are private organisations that define their own rules. The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) is a public European framework: methodologies are set by the European Commission, certification bodies must be accredited and certification schemes must be recognised.
Comparison
The operational differences
| Aspect | CRCF | Voluntary standards |
|---|---|---|
| Who writes the rules | The European Commission through delegated acts | The private organisation managing the standard |
| Who verifies | Certification bodies accredited under the applicable European standards | Bodies approved under each standard's rules |
| Who recognises the scheme | The European Commission | The market and the standard's governance bodies |
| Where it originated | European Union | International voluntary market |
| Secondary market today | Still developing | More mature and generally more liquid |
| European reporting | Designed for the Union's regulatory framework | Depends on the standard and the intended claim |
Compatibility
Can a project use both?
Any other scheme active on the same area must be disclosed before onboarding. Compatibility must be checked case by case against the applicable rules; the same removal cannot generate duplicate units or be counted twice.
Which path fits your project?
Tell us about the area, planned activity and target market.