What is the Union Database? Who has access to it? Why and how should I use the platform? When should I update my company’s information on the platform?
We know the questions around the Union Database are numerous. On this page, you will find the answers to all of your questions - and don’t worry: if by any chance you will still have other specific questions by the end of your reading, you will find at the end of the page the contacts to reach a team specialized on the matter.
However, please note that the UDB is a new platform, and our team is also on a learning curve. We will do our best to ensure a response as fast as possible.
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Union Database (also known as UDB) is a platform developed and managed by the European Commission. As the RED II targets bigger traceability within the supply chain of biofuel and bioliquids in the transport sector, the Union Database has been developed to answer these needs (see Art. Article 28, point 2 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001).
Union Database link:
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/UnionDatabase
All operators within the biofuels, covering all liquid & gaseous fuels (excluding solid Biomass fuels).
These operators include (but are not limited to):
- First Gathering Points (agricultural biomass and waste & residues)
- Traders
- Processing Units
- Last Interfaces
- Certification Bodies
- Voluntary Schemes
- Member states
- The European Commission
Filling your information in the Union Database is mandatory for all operators. It is a requirement from the European Commission, which 2BS has transcripted into our updated technical procedures and standards (you can find under
RED II Pillar - documents and procedures as submitted to the European Commission the
documentation submitted to Commission, currently under validation).
Therefore, Economic Operators within the supply chain of biofuels (liquid & gaseous fuels) used in the transport sector and eligible in the Renewable Energy Directive scope will have to fill in UDB:
- Information regarding raw materials (from the 1st gathering point),
- Sustainability details and greenhouse gas emissions savings,
- Material processing / conversion
- All transaction data regarding shipments (buying and selling) of raw materials or fuels.
We know that implementing new processes and platforms is never easy: to help our members better understand UDB’s usage and functioning, we are preparing a Webinar to be hosted by 2BS that will support you further within the platform.
Transactions must be registered within 72 hours of the traded date/shipment. The Proof of Sustainability must be updated before the end of the mass-balance period.
Link to the Union Database:
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/UnionDatabase
UPDATED ON 13 DECEMBER 2023
The European Commission has communicated new deadlines for the implementation of the platform. Find below the new timetable shared with us.
From now to January 2nd, 2024 - mandatory under risk of penalty
All Economic Operators certified by 2BS should have access to the platform, as we cared to onboard all our customers on the Union Database.
Indeed, we created an account for each 2BS-certified Economic Operator under our certifications 2BSvs biofuel and 2BSvs biogas. The representative of each organization as registered on our website (Private Area) must have received an automatic email from the UDB to finalize his / her registration.
One immediate action is required from you! Indeed, we urge you to create a password and confirm that the company's certificate and information have been correctly added to the platform as soon as possible. If needed, you will find a "step-by-step" to proceed with this task on our website.
And beware: some Economic Operators did not have their contact details updated on our website and, therefore, did not receive the UDB email. If this is the case for your organization, please regularize your situation. If a company does not have an account on the UDB on January 3rd, 2024, its certificate will automatically be suspended.
PS: Please, check your spam! Sometimes automatic emails are treated as "spam".
PS 2: For the biogas-certified customers, all the certificates will be uploaded to the platform until December 15. If your certificate is not available on the UDB yet, we invite you to check again after December 15.
From January 15th, 2024 | Biofuel supply chain
The European Commission has informed us that the application will open on January 15, 2024. Economic Operators in the biofuel supply chain will be able to register on the platform :
- their initial stock;
- the mass balance start date & duration;
- the production start date, if not completed;
- any support that the company is currently receiving (for example, feed-in tariff, Feed-in premium, Contracts for difference, Consumption support (tax breaks), Consumption support (mandates), etc.);
- transactions regarding their sustainable material.
PS: Concerning the First Gathering Points, there are ongoing discussions regarding their scope of action. Some discussions may still be ongoing with national Member States, especially for countries with an existing National Database. Please liaise with the representatives of your national trade organization. More information to come as soon as we have more exact details.
Second quarter | Biogas supply chain
Economic Operators on the biogas supply chain will be invited to start registering their initial stock on the platform. Exact dates to be announced soon.
We are organizing a series of webinars to help our customers onboard the platform. Register here.
Our team has prepared some guidelines that may help you onboard the platform. Please, find them below:
These documents will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Union Database team also prepared some training material, made available for you:
The European Commission offered training sessions by the beginning of March. You can find below all the recordings & supporting materials shared afterward:
- Liquid fuel value chain - Transactions & PoS
- Liquid fuel value chain - eDelivery Basic setup & Transactions
- Gaseous value chain - eDelivery - Gas - Injection & PoS
- Gaseous value chain - eDelivery Gas Basic setup & Withdrawal/Consumption
- Videos
- Slides & supporting materials same as above
To help you better understand the usage and functioning of the UDB, we prepared two webinars: one organized with the European Commission and one in partnership with Bioledger.
The session with the European Commission was reserved for users already familiar with the Union Database. However, we also offered two sessions dedicated to beginners organized on January 18.
Watch them on replay now!
Webinar with the European Commission
Language: English
Click here to watch the replay
Click here to download the Q&A
Webinar with Bioledger
Language: French
Click here to watch the replay
Click here to download the presentation
Webinar with Bioledger
Language: English
Click here to watch the replay
Click here to download the presentation
For any questions related to UDB, you may contact the Union Database technical support:
EC-UNION-DB@ec.europa.eu
If you need assistance in a 2BS-related topic, Ilyana Cassam-Chenai, Bioenergies Project Manager is available to help!
Email:
ilyanacassamchenai@2bsvs.com
