Verra has released clarifications to the effective dates for version 5 of the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. These clarifications are effective immediately and can be found in Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF).

The clarifications pertain to the following:

  • The effective date of those updates to Table 1 that pertain to changes to the default eligibility of projects that install light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
  • Procedures for how project proponents can choose to voluntarily update their projects to be validated or verified against VCS Version 5 requirements prior to the mandatory effective dates
  • Section numbers that were removed in the requirements for projects registered with other approved greenhouse gas programs
  • Late-to-verify procedures for Improved Forest Management (IFM) and Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) project types

The effective dates document for VCS Version 5 that incorporates these clarifications can be found in VCS Version 5: Overview of VCS Program Updates and Effective Dates – Updated 24 March 2026 (PDF).

Please email secretariat@verra.org with any questions.