Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA)
The RFA has been set up by the Government to implement the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which came into force on 15th April 2008. The RTFO will oblige fossil fuel suppliers to ensure that by 2010 biofuels account for 5% by volume of the fuel supplied on UK forecourts. The purpose of the RTFO is to reduce the UK's contribution to climate change and its reliance on fossil fuels.
The RFA will administer the monthly reporting process required of fuel companies under the RTFO, issuing Renewable Transport Fuel (RTF) certificates in proportion to the quantities of biofuels registered. In recognition of the importance of sourcing biofuels in a sustainable way in meeting environmental objectives, fuel suppliers will be encouraged to report on the specific type and origin of biofuels (for instance wheat derived bioethanol from the UK, or palm oil derived biodiesel from Malaysia), and the RFA will be working to achieve 90% compliance with data reporting, and for 80% of all biofuels certificated to have achieved appropriate environmental standards, by 2010. The RFA will be responsible for publishing updates on the progress of the RTFO, including progress on achieving compliance with sustainability criteria, on a monthly basis, as well as quarterly reports to the Department for Transport and annual reports to parliament.
The two pieces of legislation that relate directly to this public body and the Government policy it implements are the Energy Act 2004 and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order 2007.
The RFA is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB). It is funded by the Department for Transport but it is led by an independent board. It was established on 26th October 2007 when the RTFO Order 2007 was made and its office is based in Hastings, in East Sussex.