Low-emission hydrogen production is increasing but uncertainties remain. Several governments and organizations have proposed hydrogen certification labels but they are not consistent. There is a need to harmonize certification approaches to facilitate international hydrogen trade. Key challenges include differing emissions requirements across labels and programs, and determining eligibility criteria for various policy goals like renewable energy targets or government funding. Standardizing definitions and methods for assessing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of hydrogen production pathways would help increase market certainty and scale up the hydrogen economy.

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Challenges and considerations for hydrogen certification
OECD Webinar, Certification for facilitating international trade of green hydrogen, 31 January 2023
Jose M Bermudez, Energy Technology Analyst

2. 0
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Fossil with CCUS
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An increasing project pipeline for low-emission hydrogen production
Low-emission hydrogen could reach 16-24 Mt per year by 2030. However, just a few projects are under construction or
have reached FID due to uncertainties about demand, regulation and infrastructure
Low-emission hydrogen production from announced projects, 2030
Operational
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Production
(Mt)
Electrolyser capacity (GW)
GW
electrolysis
Mt
hydrogen
0
5
10
15
20
25
Fossil with CCUS
Mt
hydrogen
An increasing project pipeline for low-emission hydrogen production
Low-emission hydrogen could reach 16-24 Mt per year by 2030. However, just a few projects are under construction or
have reached FID due to uncertainties about demand, regulation and infrastructure
Low-emission hydrogen production from announced projects, 2030
Operational
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Early stage 2030
2030
2021
APS
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Early stage 2030
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2021
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24
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Early stage 2030
2030
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Government pledges

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25
Fossil with CCUS
Mt
hydrogen
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120
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300
0
5
10
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Production
(Mt)
Electrolyser capacity (GW)
GW
electrolysis
Mt
hydrogen
0
5
10
15
20
25
Fossil with CCUS
Mt
hydrogen
An increasing project pipeline for low-emission hydrogen production
Low-emission hydrogen could reach 16-24 Mt per year by 2030. However, just a few projects are under construction or
have reached FID due to uncertainties about demand, regulation and infrastructure
Low-emission hydrogen production from announced projects, 2030
Operational
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Early stage 2030
2030
2021
APS
0
2
4
6
8
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Early stage 2030
2030
2021
APS
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Construction/FID/Feasibility
0
2
4
6
8
10
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Mt
H
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Early stage 2030
2030
2021
APS
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H
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Concept
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Fossil with CCUS
Mt
hydrogen
Government pledges
2021
FID + Operational

5. First regulatory and certifications steps
Several governments and commercial entities have proposed labels for various purposes, but they are not consistent
with one another
Emissions requirements for selected hydrogen labels and programmes
Jurisdiction Label Publication year Requirements Purpose
European Union Renewable fuel of
non-biological origin
2022 (proposal) 3.4 kg CO2- eq/kg H2 delivered to a
customer (only electrolysis from renewables
is eligible and must prove additionality)
Eligible fuels to contribute
to national renewables
targets
European Union EU taxonomy-aligned
hydrogen
2022 3 kg CO2 - eq/kg H2 life cycle emissions at
the point of production
Guide investments
United States Clean hydrogen 2022 >4 kg CO2- eq/kg H2 life cycle GHG emissions
up to the point of production
Eligibility for funding
instruments
Victoria, Australia in
partnership with Germany
Zero-carbon hydrogen 2020 Hydrogen comes solely from renewable
sources.
Receive guarantees of
origin
Independent Carbon-neutral
hydrogen
2020 Zero emissions, including upstream, net of
offsets. For hydrogen produced from fossil
fuels, 50% or more of the CO2 must be
stored and any solid carbon permanently
secured.
Accreditation under
voluntary TÜV Rheinland
Standard H2.21
Independent Low-carbon hydrogen 2017 4.4 kg CO2 -eq/kg H2 Accreditation under
voluntary CertifHy system

6. The need for harmonisation