TIC Council Recommendations to Speed Up the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act

The Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act offers a vital opportunity to speed up the green transformation of energy-intensive industries. As the global voice of the Testing, Inspection and Certification sector, we believe this transformation must be built on transparency, international standards, and trust. 

Most of the demand for TIC services comes from the voluntary market. The industry approaches TIC companies to get their emissions calculated, their management systems certified, their manufacturing facilities inspected, not because they are mandated by any regulation, but because they see the benefit in streamlining these processes and getting a third-party assurance on them. 

TIC services that can support the Act

• TIC companies provide independent calculations of carbon footprints for organisations, sites, and products. These assessments follow international standards such as ISO 14064, the GHG Protocol, and EU-aligned schemes. They ensure data integrity, help businesses communicate transparently, and support compliance-readiness for the EU ETS, CBAM and CRCF. Trusted emissions data is the foundation for effective climate action.
• TIC companies conduct Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) to measure environmental impacts across the full product lifecycle. They also verify Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which present this information in a standardised, transparent format. These services help businesses understand and reduce environmental impacts, are based on recognised methods such as ISO 14040/44, and enable credible green claims that qualify for green public procurement. Already essential in construction and manufacturing, LCAs and EPDs should be central to EU labelling efforts.
• Thousands of companies trust TIC partners to certify their environmental management systems. These certifications follow ISO standards such as ISO 14001, allowing companies to manage obligations proactively. They lower the cost of compliance by streamlining environmental efforts and are market-driven: over 300,000 companies worldwide are certified voluntarily. Management systems are ready-made tools to support compliance and simplify permitting.
• TIC companies are key enablers of Europe’s energy goals. They audit and inspect industrial energy performance, identifying saving opportunities. They support EU energy efficiency targets through verified measurement, certify compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive, including for imported renewable fuels, and inspect and test solar panels, wind turbines, and biofuels. Verification adds confidence to green energy investments and policy.
• The green transition requires a workforce equipped with the right skills, and the trust that comes from recognised certification. TIC companies offer training and certification for roles such as renewable energy installers, energy auditors, and ESG professionals. Their independent assessments ensure workers meet industry-standard competence requirements. A certified workforce is a trusted workforce,  ready to deliver climate ambition on the ground.

To maximise the Act’s impact, we recommend:

• Promoting an EU-wide label for cement and steel based on harmonised and independently verified carbon data
• Aligning methodologies across ETS, CBAM, and EPD systems
• Endorsing Environmental Management Systems and Data Process Certification as compliance tools

Read our full response here.