Declaration system for hydrogen
Hydrogen is a fuel with a future and is particularly attractive for climate-conscious companies. But only green hydrogen can contribute to climate protection. The declaration system for hydrogen from naturemade electricity ensures that only renewable naturemade-certified electricity was used in the production of hydrogen.
What is it all about?
Since 1 January 2022, VUE has maintained a declaration system for hydrogen produced by electrolysis with naturemade-certified electricity. A declaration is not the same as a certification and includes a reduced procedure for the proof of quality in comparison. The offer is primarily aimed at hydrogen for mobility applications.
What is the added value of a declaration for “hydrogen from naturemade electricity”?
- The declaration verifies that the hydrogen was produced by electrolysis from 100% renewable, naturemade-certified electricity.
- The supply chain can be traced back. The declaration guarantees that no more "hydrogen from naturemade electricity" is sold than is produced.
- This type of proof of origin can be used in communicating a company’s own business strategy or when applying for subsidies.
How does the declaration work?
In order to trace the supply chain and to ensure that not more “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” is sold than is produced, production and sales are recorded and monitored separately.
On the production side, the amount of “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” produced by an electrolysis plant is declared. The licensee is the operating company of the electrolysis plant. As part of the reporting required by naturemade, checks are carried out to ensure that only naturemade electricity is used to generate the licensed quantity of “hydrogen from naturemade electricity”.
On the delivery side, the delivery of “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” is declared by filling station operators. Licensees are individual filling station operators or an association of filling station operators.
What are the requirements to declare hydrogen?
- Annual proof of the use of naturemade-certified electricity for hydrogen production must be provided.
- A quantity balance of the hydrogen production of “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” must be kept and submitted annually to VUE.
- Membership of VUE.
How do I go about producing “hydrogen from naturemade electricity”?
Check that electricity certified by naturemade is used to produce or can produce your hydrogen by means of electrolysis. If necessary, ask your electricity supplier or the VUE office whether you can obtain naturemade electricity.
Contact the VUE office so we can advise you on how to submit your application.
Complete the following documents in full to apply for the declaration of your hydrogen and submit them to the VUE office:
- Licence application: contains the most important information about the company and the licensed hydrogen quantity (in preparation, please enquire at the office).
- Membership application (for non-members only)
- Declaration for hydrogen production plants: It contains the most important information about the plant.
The VUE office will check the licensing application and, if all requirements are met, issue you with the licence agreement.
What is the total cost of the declaration?
The fees for licensees consist of the following charges. For detailed information on the costs of a naturemade licence, please refer to the Licensing fees.
| Fees to VUE | Due date |
Amount (CHF/year) |
| Membership fee VUE | annual |
Depending on the annual energy turnover. CHF 0–8,000 per year, in accordance with the applicable naturemade licensing fees. |
| Licensing fees for hydrogen producers | annual | CHF 200 plus CHF 20 per GWh/a |
What are the requirements for selling “hydrogen from naturemade electricity”?
- Traceability of the quantities sold: Proof of where the sold quantities of “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” were procured (quantity balance of hydrogen supply, must be provided annually).
- Proof (written confirmation) that the supplier does not claim any emission-reducing effect of the hydrogen (annually).
- Adherence to information and communication principles.
- Membership of VUE.
How do I go about selling “hydrogen from naturemade electricity”?
Check if your hydrogen producer/supplier offers “hydrogen from naturemade electricity” or would offer it if there was a demand.
Contact the VUE office so we can support you in the further procedure.
Complete the following documents in full to apply for the declaration of your hydrogen and submit them to the VUE office:
- Licence application: contains the most important information about the company and the licensed hydrogen quantity (in preparation, please enquire at the office).
- Membership application (for non-members only)
The VUE office will check the licensing application and, if all requirements are met, issue you with the licence agreement.
What is the total cost of the declaration?
The fees for licensees consist of the following charges. For detailed information on the costs of a naturemade licence, please refer to the Licensing fees.
| Fees to VUE | Due date |
Amount (CHF/year) |
| Membership fee VUE | annual |
Depending on the annual energy turnover. CHF 0–8,000 per year, in accordance with the applicable naturemade licensing fees. |
| Licensing fees for hydrogen suppliers | annual | CHF 200 plus CHF 100 per GWh/a |