Guidance

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order regulates renewable fuels used for transport.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
5 November 2012
Last updated
19 January 2021 — See all updates

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) supports our policy on decarbonising transport by encouraging the production and use of renewable fuels that do not damage the environment.

Under the RTFO, suppliers of relevant transport fuel in the UK must be able to show that a percentage of the fuel they supply comes from renewable and sustainable sources. Fuel suppliers that supply at least 450,000 litres of this fuel a year are affected.

Fossil and renewable fuels used in road and certain non-road transport applications, such as non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) and tractors are included under the RTFO. Renewable fuels used in aircraft are also covered, as well as renewable fuels of non-biological origin used in maritime applications.

The RTFO covers only biofuels used in the transport and NRMM sectors. Information on using bioliquids or biomass to generate heat or electricity is available.

Should you register under RTFO?

You must register under the RTFO if your company owns and supplies 450,000 litres or more of relevant transport fuel for use in the UK during the course of an obligation year (1 January to 31 December).

The 450,000 litre figure includes all fossil fuels and renewable fuels.

If your company supplies less than 450,000 litres a year in the UK, you can still register if you want to claim Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs). Any company that supplies sustainable renewable fuel for use in relevant transport modes in the UK can claim RTFCs. You can trade RTFCs or sell them to companies that need them to meet their obligations under the RTFO.

A list of RTFO registered companies is available.

How do I register?

To register for the RTFO, contact the RTFO Compliance Team at the Department for Transport (DfT).

Email rtfo-compliance@dft.gov.uk

You will need the following information to register:

  • the full legal name of your organisation
  • Companies House number and date of incorporation (if your organisation is a company)
  • the legal status of your organisation (for example, plc, limited company, partnership, sole trader)
  • VAT number, if you have one
  • Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) certificate number, if your organisation has one
  • full contact details for the organisation, yourself and the director

We will also require individual proofs of identity for at least one director who will be responsible for ensuring the organisation is fully compliant with the RTFO.

RTFO guidance

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) guidance provides support for fuel suppliers, independent verifiers and others involved in the supply of fossil and renewable fuels for use in relevant transport modes in the UK.

Carbon calculator

The carbon calculator is a standalone programme that allows users to assess the greenhouse gas savings from a given batch of biofuels. You can use it to generate reports to upload to the RTFO reporting system.

Data on renewable fuel supply

Suppliers covered by the RTFO must provide data on the volumes and source of renewable fuel brought to market in the UK. Statistics on the latest verified data are published quarterly.

Voluntary sustainability schemes

Renewable fuels must meet certain sustainability criteria to qualify under the RTFO. A recognised sustainability standard scheme can be used to provide evidence of compliance with the carbon and sustainability requirements of the RTFO. A list of recognised voluntary schemes is available.

RTFO updates

The Low Carbon Fuels team at DfT runs regular stakeholder events with updates on important developments. The team regularly engages with account holders and wider stakeholders, including periodic account holder communications throughout the year.

Legislation

As a supplier covered by the RTFO scheme, you need to be aware of the legislation and the subsequent amendments. The original 2007 RTFO Order has been periodically amended since it came into force.

The relevant legislation and subsequent amendments are the:

The RTFO scheme is closely aligned to reporting requirements placed on suppliers under the Motor Fuel (Road Vehicle and Mobile Machinery) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations 2012.

At DfT, the RTFO administers schemes under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007 and the Motor Fuel (Road Vehicle and Mobile Machinery) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations 2012.

Contact details

For queries relating to the administration of the RTFO, email rtfo-compliance@dft.gov.uk.

The general email address for the Low Carbon Fuels team is biofuels.transport@dft.gov.uk.

The postal addresses are:

Low Carbon Fuels
Zone 1/32
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR

3rd Floor
1 Priory Square
Hastings TN34 1EA
United Kingdom

Updates to this page

Published 5 November 2012
Last updated 19 January 2021 + show all updates

  1. Change of address from Ashdown House to 1 Priory Square.

  2. First published.

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