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.

Verra’s VVB Performance Monitoring Program (PMP) is fundamental to Verra’s comprehensive oversight of VVB performance. The PMP enables Verra to monitor and strengthen VVB performance across all Verra standards programs.

SUPPORTING VVBS

As the rules of Verra’s programs continue to evolve, Verra is committed to supporting VVBs through clear, transparent, and consistent guidance so that they can conduct high-quality audits. Verra provides VVBs with regular trainings to share program updates, clarifications and create a space for discussion. In addition, to foster continuous improvement of individual VVBs as well as Verra’s system as a whole, Verra provides direct performance feedback to VVBs, considers rule clarification requests, and offers opportunities for dialogue on quality, consistency, and performance expectations. Together, these efforts maintain the integrity of the validation and verification process, while also upholding VVBs’ independence.

VVB Sanctions

Based on its validation/verification bodies oversight activities, Verra has sole discretion to apply sanctions to VVBs if it identifies non-conformances or other performance issues. For example, VVBs may be found to conduct services not in conformance with the governing accreditation body and/or VCS Program rules, or Verra identifies systemic or repeated deficiencies, such as recurring non‑conformances or failure to implement required corrective actions. These sanctions against VVBs will vary depending on the severity of issues and/or non-conformance(s) and may include the following:

• Issuance of a warning.
• Referral of non-conformity reports and PMP results to the relevant accreditation body.
• Suspension
• Termination

VVB sanctions are described in detail in section 6 of the VCS Program Guide (see the VCS Program Details – Verra VCS Rules and Requirements page for the most recent version).

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 (see the VCS Rules and Requirements page for the most recent version).  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 credits 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).

VVBs may be located anywhere in the world and are eligible to provide validation and verification services under the SD VISta Program if they meet the criteria set out in the SD VISta Standard.

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.