VALIDATION and VERIFICATION

During validation, a VVB determines whether a project meets all rules and requirements from the Verra Programs. Once validation has been concluded, the project proponent may submit the project for registration with the respective program. 

During verification, a VVB confirms that the outcomes set out in the project documentation have been achieved and quantified according to the requirements of the respective standard.

Suspension or Loss of Accreditation

A VVB becomes inactive when their accreditation is terminated or when they are suspended by the body under which they are accredited, or if Verra suspends or terminates its agreement with the VVB. 

Verra doesn’t permit inactive or suspended VVBs to conduct any validation and verification audits or issue validation and verification reports until Verra reinstates their eligibility.

VVBs may be located anywhere in the world and are eligible to provide validation and verification services under the VCS Program if they are accredited by a VCS-recognized accreditation body, have received Verra authorization, have signed the required agreement with Verra, and paid the annual validation/verification body fee.

Qualified validation/verification bodies (VVBs) also perform rigorous assessments of VCS methodologies and methodology elements to confirm that they conform with VCS Program requirements and sector-specific best practices. The contracted VVB must meet the eligibility criteria set out in the VCS Program Guide and must hold accreditation or approval for validation or verification (as applicable) for the sectoral scope(s) applicable to the respective methodology project. Where the methodology falls under more than one sectoral scope, the VVB body shall hold accreditation or approval for validation or verification (as applicable) for all relevant sectoral scopes.

The below overview of VCS and ANAB sectoral scopes informs for which VCS sectoral scopes ANAB-accredited VVBs can provide validation or verification.

Successful verification of a project to the CCB Standards certifies a projects’ climate, community, and biodiversity benefits for a specific period of time. Verification also enables the addition of a CCB label to creditss that were generated during the same time period.

VVBs may be located anywhere in the world and are eligible to provide validation and verification services under the CCBS Program if they meet the criteria set out in the CCB Program Rules

Successful verification of a project to SD VISta certifies a projects unique sustainable development benefits for a specific period of time. Verification also enables the addition of a SD VISta label to credits from approved programs that were generated during the same time period. 

Projects that use an approved SD VISta methodology may generate SD VISta Assets that are specific to the chosen methodology. In order to generate assets the SD VISta validation and verification must assess whether the project also meets the requirements of the selected methodology and have monitored and accounted for the benefit accordingly.

Validation and verification must be performed by a VVB that has been approved by Verra as having expertise in the sectoral scopes of the project activities.

SD VISta Sectoral Scopes

Projects, activities or methodologies can be developed under any of the 14 SD VISta sectoral scopes. Additionally, these sectoral scopes have been mapped to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (opens on un.org website).

Independent expert evaluation is an alternative option for projects that do not, at a given time, have the necessity, resources, or experience to undergo validation or verification. It enables a project to demonstrate compliance with the SD VISta rules through ex-ante and ex-post evaluation by an approved independent evaluation expert (IEE). Projects that successfully complete independent expert evaluation can be listed with the SD VISta Program and may make limited claims about a project’s estimated or actual impacts.

VVBs and IEEs may be located anywhere in the world and are eligible to provide validation and verification services, as well as independent expert evaluation services under the SD VISta Program if they meet the criteria set out in the SD VISta Program Guide (PDF).

VVBs are eligible to provide validation and verification services under the Plastic Program if they are accredited by a member of the International Accreditation Forum, have been approved by Verra and have signed the required agreement with Verra. See below for the VVBs currently approved to conduct validation and verifications under the Plastic Program.

Roster of Local Experts

Verra is currently establishing a roster of local and technical experts that will serve as a resource for validation/verification bodies (VVBs) auditing Plastic Program projects. VVBs may use this list to recruit or contract qualified individuals with knowledge of particular geographic contexts or expertise in specific plastic waste collection and/or recycling activities. These experts have at least two years of experience in the category or categories listed. This roster will not be exhaustive, and VVBs may recruit local or technical experts not included on the roster.

Please note that, in accordance with ISO 14065, VVBs are expected to perform an assessment of the independence and impartiality of the expert, considering the specific context of the project to be audited. Every VVB is responsible for conducting the necessary due diligence required for work that is outsourced or performed by a contractor, including those on Verra’s Roster of Local Experts. VVBs should adhere to their internal policies for assessing the suitability of an external expert.

COMING SOON: Plastic Program Roster of Local and Technical Experts