Global ammonia certification system launches to support low-emission trade

The Ammonia Energy Association (AEA) and methane certification specialist MiQ have launched a global Ammonia Certification System designed to provide a standardized framework for verifying the carbon footprint and origin of low-emission ammonia. The voluntary program is open to producers, traders, buyers, and other participants across the ammonia value chain, aiming to improve transparency and trust as international trade in clean ammonia expands.

The certification system entered its pilot phase in October 2025 with the release of its governing documentation and the launch of the AEA Ammonia Registry, which is built and operated by MiQ. The registry tracks the generation, transfer, and retirement of certification documents, marking the first application of MiQ’s independently verified certification model outside the natural gas sector. According to AEA President Vibeke Rasmussen, who also serves as senior vice president of product management and certification at Yara Clean Ammonia, transparent and trusted certification is essential for developing the clean ammonia market. MiQ Chief Executive Officer Georges Tijbosch said independent third-party certification can help drive emissions reductions throughout the supply chain.

The pilot program supports both pre-certification for ammonia projects under development—facilitating financing and offtake negotiations—and certification for existing production facilities. Envision Energy is among the initial participants, with additional companies expected to join during the pilot. The system also offers three chain-of-custody options—segregated, mass balance, and book-and-claim—allowing producers to certify ammonia while accommodating different production and supply chain configurations.