How to Register a New Renewable Fuel Producer for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

To participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), renewable fuel producers must meet the registration requirements in Title 40 CFR Part 80. Producers should use this page in conjunction with the regulations, not in lieu of reading the regulations. 

Follow these steps to register a renewable fuel producer:

Step Registration Requirements Additional Information
1

Review the following sections of the regulations to ensure your company can meet the qualifications of RFS:

  • §80.1401 - Definitions of renewable fuel and renewable biomass
  • §80.1426 - Approved fuel pathways
  • §80.1450 - Registration requirements
  • §80.1451 - Reporting requirements
  • §80.1454 - Recordkeeping requirements
  • §80.1464 - Attest engagement requirements

Renewable fuel must meet the following requirements to be registered under RFS:

  • Fuel meets definition of Renewable Fuel
  • Feedstock meets definition of Renewable Biomass
  • Feedstock, process, and fuel meet an approved fuel pathway

For more information on fuel pathways, see: Fuel Pathways
2*

To register to produce renewable fuel from biogas, review these specific regulations to ensure your company can meet the qualifications of RFS:

  • §80.1426(f)(10)(ii) and (f)(11)(ii) - RIN Generation
  • §80.1450(b)(1)(v)(D) - Registration
  • §80.1454(k) - Recordkeeping
3

Register New Company with business activity Initial Registration Submissions
4 Assemble all documents required under §80.1450(b)(1).
5 Obtain an engineering review conducted by a third-party independent professional engineer per §80.1450(b)(2). The engineer must verify and explain how they evaluated the accuracy of all materials assembled by the producer per §80.1450(b)(1).

Read the following guidance on items the engineer must verify:
6** Foreign renewable fuel producers who opt to generate RINs, as opposed to having a U.S. importer generate RINs, must submit additional documentation and provide a monetary bond per §80.1466. Send an email to FuelsProgramSupport@epa.gov
7

Once EPA has activated the New Company request:

Create an Update Company Program Type (CPT) request in CDX OTAQReg to register your company and facility under Part 79.

Register your fuel or fuel additive under Title 40 CFR Part 79.
  • Only fuel and fuel additives for on-highway gasoline and diesel use need to be registered under Part 79.
  • Foreign producers do not need to register under Part 79, but the importers that are importing the fuel into the United States must register under Part 79. Register or update a fuel or fuel additive under 40 CFR Part 79.
8

Once EPA has activated your Part 79 registration via the Company Program Type (CPT) in Step 7:

Create an Update Company Program Type request in CDX OTAQReg to register your company and facility under Part 80 (RFS Program).

How to Change Program Types and Business Activities in OTAQREG (992 KB, February 2023, EPA-420-B-23-008)
9 The Professional Engineer associates to the company with the Independent Third Party Engineer role. How to Become a Delegated User of a Registered Company in OTAQREG (pdf) (352 KB, June 2018, EPA-420-B-18-032)
10 Submit the engineering review and materials required under §80.1450(b)(1) to EPA.

How to Manage Engineering Review Submissions in OTAQREG (pdf) (1.4 MB, EPA-420-B-18-042, September 2018)
11

Once materials have been submitted, check the status of your request.

Part 80 Pending Registration List

* Applies to fuel produced from biogas only.
** Applies to foreign renewable fuel producers only.

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Last updated on February 7, 2025