Documents and guidance
The documents below provide advice on how to submit an application to the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) and the type of evidence required to demonstrate compliance. Please ensure you have read the relevant guidance documents fully before starting your BSL application.
| Document Name |
Description |
Date of Publication |
Version Number |
| Supplier Type Overview |
This gives definitions of the different BSL supplier types and should be read first before applying to the BSL. |
27.07.2018 |
1.1 |
| Self-Supplier Factsheet |
This gives further clarification on the difference between a Self-Supplier and a Producer-Trader. |
17.07.2018 |
1.3 |
| Applications and Audit Guidance |
This gives an overview of the application process that suppliers will need to complete to register on the BSL and the audit process following authorisation. This should be read thoroughly before any new application is started. |
30.04.2019 |
1.9 |
| Application User Guide for Self-Suppliers |
A user guide to assist Self-Suppliers through the website and submitting an application |
10.10.2018 |
1.0 |
| Application User Guide for Producers and Producer-Traders |
A user guide to assist Producer and Producer-Traders through the website and submitting an application
|
10.10.2018 |
1.0 |
| Application User Guide for Traders |
A user guide to assist Traders through the website and submitting an application |
10.10.2018 |
1.0 |
|
Land Criteria Guidance
|
This gives more detail about the land criteria element of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) requirements. This should be read by all Producers, Traders and Producer-Traders. Self-Suppliers do not have to provide land criteria evidence. |
09.12.2020 |
2.0 |
| Land Criteria Evidence |
This gives more detail about the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with the land criteria element of the RHI requirements. This should be read by all Producers, Traders and Producer-Traders. Self-Suppliers do not have to provide land criteria evidence. |
11.12.2020 |
2.0 |
| UK Risk Based Regional Assessment (RBRA) template |
This template can be used to demonstrate compliance with the land criteria element of the RHI requirements. It should be completed by those suppliers who source 100% of their raw materials from within the UK but are not Category A compliant or do not have a valid Felling Licence and Management Plan covering 100% of their raw materials. |
02.10.2020 |
1.3 |
| Mass Balance and Bespoke RBRA Guidance |
This gives more detail about the bespoke RBRA process for those suppliers sourcing their raw materials from outside of the UK and not covered by Category A land criteria evidence. |
09.04.2015 |
1.0 |
| Mass Balance Template |
This template should be completed and submitted alongside the bespoke RBRA document. |
10.10.2016 |
1.0 |
| BSL Supplier Q&A |
This gives answers to some of the more frequently asked questions by suppliers about the BSL scheme. |
17.01.2017 |
2.1 |
| RHI Participant Q&A |
This gives answers to some of the more frequently asked questions by RHI participants about the BSL scheme. |
05.10.2015 |
1.6 |
| Branding Guidelines |
This explains how the BSL Mark and BSL Authorised Mark should be used. |
02.04.2015 |
1.1 |
| BSL Advisory Panel Members |
Final List of BSL Advisory Panel Members |
10.06.2020 |
2.4 |
|
BSL Advisory Panel Full Terms of Reference
BSL Advisory Panel meeting
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
|
Decisions and Actions reports |
20.01.2017
19.05.2017
28.07.2017
01.11.2017
01.02.2018
02.05.2018
01.08.2018
05.11.2018
05.02.2019
01.05.2019
01.08.2019
07.02.2020
04.05.2020
22.07.2020
21.10.2020
03.02.2021
|
1.0 |
| How to pay User Guide for BSL Suppliers |
User guide to assist suppliers with completing quarterly returns and/or membership fee(s) |
30.01.2020 |
1.0 |
| Final BSL charges and consultation feedback report |
This sets out the BSL fees that will be applicable from 1 January 2017 and contains feedback on the charging consultation. |
15.11.2016 |
1.0 |
|
BSL charges - Questions and answers document
|
This gives answers to some of the frequently asked questions by suppliers and new applicants on the BSL fees.
Please note that VAT is applied on top of the fees
|
03.01.2017 |
1.1
|
| Tonnage Fee Guidance |
Guidance for BSL suppliers on how tonnage fees are calculated |
01.04.2017 |
1.0 |
External guidance documents
There are a number of documents that sit outside of the BSL that may be of interest to BSL suppliers.
News
This section provides regular updates on changes to the BSL.
27.01.2021
BSL Newsletter Issue 9
To download a copy of the newsletter, please click here.
28.10.2020
BSL Newsletter Issue 8
To download a copy of the newsletter, please click here.
05.10.2020
Please be advised that the UK Risk Based Regional Assessment (RBRA) Template has been updated to v1.3. The updates include formatting amendments and updated Forestry Commission statistics. The new template (v1.3) has been published on the Documents and guidance page of the BSL website and can also be found here.
From 05.10.20, all new BSL applications will be required to include completion and submission of v1.3 of the RBRA.
Please email bslhelpdesk@gemserv.com if you have any questions.
29.07.2020
BSL Newsletter Issue 7
To download a copy of the newsletter, please click here.
15.07.20
Following guidance issued by the Government, it has been decided to conduct only desk-based audits until further advice is provided. To download a copy of our desk-based audit sheet, please click the attachment: Preparing for BSL Desk-Based Audit.
25.06.20
The BSL Advisory Panel Terms of Reference has been updated to v1.1. The full document can be found on the Documents and guidance page.
10.06.20
COVID-19 - Enquiry 2- Impacts on Biomass Supply Chains
BSL issued a survey in April 2020 to all BSL suppliers to assess the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on Biomass supply chains. On 28th May 2020, a second round to the survey was issued to ask for further feedback on the ongoing impacts.
The survey is now closed and the responses will be analysed, to be shared with the Government and industry trade associations. We greatly appreciate your feedback.
30.04.2020
BSL Newsletter Issue 6
To download a copy of the newsletter, please click here.
22.04.2020
COVID-19 - Impacts on Biomass Supply Chains
BSL is becoming aware of a number of instances where the actions associated with controlling the Coronavirus outbreak are impacting demand and biomass supply chains. We are keen to receive our members' feedback on the depth and reach of the impact across the industry and issued a survey in April 2020.
This is now closed, however a follow-up enquiry will be issued in May and we would be grateful for as many responses as possible.
The information provided will be anonymised and summarised, and shared with Government and industry trade associations, to inform any future actions they may take to support the industry. We will review the responses regularly to monitor the situation. We thank you for your help.
31.01.2020
BSL Newsletter Issue 5
To download a copy of the newsletter please click here.
31.10.2019
BSL Newsletter Issue 4
To download a copy of the newsletter please click here.
31.07.2019
BSL Newsletter Issue 3
To download a copy of the newsletter please click here.
30.04.2019
BSL Newsletter Issue 2
To download a copy of the newsletter please click here.
15.01.2019
This is the first issue of the BSL newsletter. This is where
we will provide regular updates on policy changes, statistics, ongoing
developments and improvements within the scheme.
To download a copy of the newsletter please click here.
If you have any questions regarding the newsletter, please
contact the BSL Helpdesk on bslhelpdesk@gemserv.com.
04.07.2018
The BSL Advisory Panel election has opened. An email was issued to all authorised suppliers on the BSL with a voting form and details on how to vote attached. Voting closes on 10 July 2018.
22.11.2017
Following the recent communication regarding the concern about the usage of waste wood in biomass boilers and after listening to feedback from the industry, BSL will be releasing a new waste wood guidance document.
This guidance document has been created to provide clarification on:
- What waste wood is
- Waste wood classifications
- Waste wood quality standards
- Legislation around the legal usage of waste wood
The BSL advisory panel has discussed the issue and after careful consideration, they recommended that guidance is tightened to restrict waste wood of unknown provenance.
We aim to release this guidance document as soon as possible. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will make a final decision based on this recommendation and the actual release date will be announced soon.
21.07.2017
A useful waste wood guidance document produced by the Environment Agency can be read here.
20.01.2017
A BSL Advisory Panel has been set up to discuss and input into how the BSL is run and make recommendations to BEIS (formerly DECC). The first Panel meeting was held on 16 December 2016.
A Decisions and Actions report on the meeting can be found here.
27.12.2016
The final list of members of the BSL Advisory Panel has been finalised following the election, and the first meeting was held on 16 December 2016. The list of members can be found here.
18.11.2016
From 1 January 2017, all BSL suppliers will have to pay fees to have authorised fuels on the Biomass Suppliers List. Further information on the charges, including how much and when the fees need to be paid is available to read here. You can also read the BSL Charges - Questions and answers document, which answers frequently asked questions about the fees and how much, and when, to pay.
08.11.2016
The BSL Advisory Panel election has opened. An email was issued to Master Admin Users for all suppliers on the BSL today with a voting form and details on how to vote attached. Voting closes on 22 November 2016.
10.10.2016
The new look BSL website has gone live! The next time you log into your supplier account, remember that you will be asked to change your password for data protection reasons. All your other information, such as BSL authorisation numbers, will not change.