See the Rules and Requirements page for the current versions of all VCS Program documents.
Below is a list of the most recently archived VCS Version 4 requirements, procedural and guidance documents, and templates. All documents are no longer in use.
For a catalog of all updates made to VCS Version 4, see the VCS Governance and Development Page.
| VCS Program Guide, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 17 January 2023 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology development and review process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Program Guide, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology approval process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Program Guide, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology approval process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Program Guide, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The VCS Program Guide is the overarching VCS Program document. It sets out all rules and requirements governing the VCS Program, including the project registration process, the methodology approval process, the accreditation requirements for validation/verification bodies, and the functioning of the Verra registry. |
| VCS Standard, v4.5 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| VCS Standard, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 17 January 2023 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| Erratum and Clarification to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 4 April 2023 Errata and clarifications regarding gap validation requirements applicable to the VCS Standard, v4.4. |
| Clarification to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 31 May 2023 Clarification regarding the effective date of Scope 3 emissions double claiming requirements in the VCS Standard, v4.4. |
| VCS Standard, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| VCS Standard, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| VCS Standard, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 April 2021 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| VCS Standard, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 9 March 2020 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. |
| Errata and Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 5 February 2021 Errata and clarifications applicable to the VCS Standard, v4.0; and the Registration and Issuance Process, v4.0. |
| Clarification to VCS Program Rules and Requirements, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 April 2022 Clarification applicable to the VCS Standard v4.2; the VCS Program Definitions v4.1; and the Methodology Approval Process v4.0 |
| Clarification to VCS Program Rules and Requirements, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 29 April 2022 Clarification applicable to the VCS Program Guide, v4.1. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 17 January 2023 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 29 August 2023 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The VCS Methodology Requirements set out all specific requirements for developing methodologies under the VCS Program, including specific requirements for AFOLU and ODS methodologies. |
| VCS Program Definitions, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 The VCS Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Definitions, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Definitions, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 The Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Definitions, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Program Definitions are a reference document that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 30 March 2023 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 17 January 2023 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 9 April 2020 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Program Fee Schedule, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.4 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Last Updated: 31 August 2023 The Registration & Issuance Process document sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Last Updated: 17 January 2023 The Registration & Issuance Process document sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Errata and Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 14 February 2023 Errata and clarifications applicable to the Registration and Issuance Process, v4.3, regarding consequences of not submitting a loss event report |
| Errata and Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements (PDF) | Issued: 30 March 2023 Errata and clarifications applicable to the Registration and Issuance Process, v4.3, regarding the updated VCS Program Fee Schedule, v4.3. |
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The Registration and Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.1 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 The Registration and Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Registration and Issuance Process, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Registration and Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.3 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 31 August 2023 The Methodology Development and Review Process document sets out procedures and rules for the development and review of new and existing methodologies under the VCS Program. |
| Methodology Development and Review Process, v4.2 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 17 January 2023 The Methodology Development and Review Process document sets out procedures and rules for the development and review of new and existing methodologies under the VCS Program. |
| Methodology Approval Process, v4.1 (PDF) Proceso de aprobación de metodologías, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The Methodology Approval Process document sets out procedures and rules for the approval of methodology elements under the VCS Program.El documento Proceso de aprobación de metodologías, establece los procedimientos y las reglas para la aprobación de elementos metodológicos bajo el Programa VCS |
| Methodology Approval Process, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The Methodology Approval Process document sets out procedures and rules for the approval of methodology elements under the VCS Program. |
| AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for AFOLU projects. |
| Herramienta de riesgo de no permanencia de AFOLU, v4.0 (PDF) | Issued: 19 September 2019 La herramienta de riesgo de no permanencia de AFOLU, establece los procedimientos para desarrollr analísis de riesgo de no permanencia y la determinación del buffer para los proyectos AFOLU |
VCS Project Templates
| VCS Project Description Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Project description template. |
| VCS Project Description Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Project description template. |
| VCS Project Description Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Project description template. |
| VCS Monitoring Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Monitoring report template. |
| VCS Monitoring Report Template, v4.1</em> (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Monitoring report template. |
| VCS Monitoring Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Monitoring report template. |
| VCS Joint Project Description and Monitoring Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| VCS Joint Project Description and Monitoring Report Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 February 2022 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| VCS Joint Project Description & Monitoring Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| VCS Validation Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Validation report template. |
| VCS Validation Report Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Validation report template. |
| VCS Validation Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Validation report template. |
| VCS Verification Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Verification report template. |
| VCS Verification Report Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Verification report template. |
| VCS Verification Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Verification report template. |
| VCS Joint Validation and Verification Report Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Joint validation and verification report template. |
| VCS Joint Validation and Verification Report Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 February 2022 Joint validation and verification report template. |
| VCS Joint Validation & Verification Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Joint validation and verification report template. |
VCS Representations
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 21 December 2022 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 21 December 2022 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 203 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Validation Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation. |
| Validation Representation, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation. |
| Verification Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification. |
| Verification Representation, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification. |
| Listing Representation (single PP), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project. |
| Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents. |
| Accession Registration Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of registration representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Accession Listing Representation, v4.1 (DOC) (DOC) | Issued: 5 April 2022 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Partial Release Registration Representation, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Updated: 29 August 2023 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
| Partial Release Registration Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
| Partial Release Listing Representation, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
VCS and SOCIALCARBON Project
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Description Template, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Monitoring Report Template, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Monitoring report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Validation Report Template, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Validation Report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Verification Report Template, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
JNR Program
| JNR Program Description, v3.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
JNR program description template for the development of jurisdictional REDD+ programs applying Scenario 2 or 3. |
| JNR Baseline Description, v3.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 December 2013
JNR baseline description template for the development of jurisdictional baselines applying Scenario 1. |
| JNR Baseline Validation Representation, v3.0 (DOC) | Issued: 30 October 2014
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline validation. |
| JNR Program Listing Representation (single JP), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program listing with VCS. |
| JNR Program Listing Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program with multiple jurisdictional proponents |
| JNR Baseline Listing Representation (single JP), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline with multiple jurisdictional proponents listing with VCS. |
| JNR Baseline Listing Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline with multiple jurisdictional proponents listing with VCS. |
| JNR Program Validation Representation, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect the jurisdictional REDD+ program validation. |
| JNR Program Verification Representation, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program verification. |
| JNR Monitoring Report, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
JNR monitoring report template |
| JNR Program Registration Representation (single JP), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program. |
| JNR Program Registration Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program with multiple jurisdictional proponents. |
| JNR Baseline Registration Representation (single JP), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect to the jurisdictional baseline. |
| JNR Baseline Registration Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline with |
| JNR Program Issuance Representation (single JP), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals achieved by the jurisdictional REDD+ program. |
| JNR Validation Report, v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
JNR validation report template. |
| JNR Program Issuance Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 October 2016
Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals achieved by a jurisdictional REDD+ program with multiple jurisdictional proponents. |
| JNR Non-Permanence Risk Report, v3.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 December 2013
Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for jurisdictional REDD+ programs. |
| JNR Expert Application Form, v3.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 December 2013
Form for submitting an application to become a JNR expert. |
| Methodology Concept Note, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Methodology concept note template. |
| Minor Methodology Revision Description, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Minor methodology revision description template. |
| Methodology Template, v4.2 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Methodology template. |
| Methodology Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Methodology template. |
| Module Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Module template (for tools and modules). |
| Methodology Submission Form and Agreement, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 21 December 2022 Form for submitting a methodology to Verra. |
| Methodology Approval Process Submission Form, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Form for submitting a methodology element to Verra. |
| Methodology Element Approval Request Form, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Form for requesting final approval of a methodology element from Verra. |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v4.1 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 21 December 2022 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v4.0 (DOC) | Issued: 19 September 2019 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
Other Guidance
| Guidance on Double Counting (PDF) | Issued: 1 February 2012 Provides guidance on various forms of double counting and how these should be addressed. |
| Guidance for ARR Applying CDM Methodologies (PDF) | Issued: 8 March 2011 Clarifies how Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects must follow VCS AFOLU Requirements and a CDM Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) methodology. |
| Article 6 Label Guidance Document, v1.0 (PDF) (PDF) | Issued: 29 August 2023 Provides guidance and requirements for applying Article 6 labels to VCUs. |
| Mitigation Outcome Type Label Guidance, v1.0 (PDF) (PDF) | Issued: 29 August 2023 Provides guidance and requirements for applying mitigation outcome type labels to VCUs. |
JNR Program Guidance
| Guidance for Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Program Design (PDF) | This document provides guidance for jurisdictions seeking to use the JNR Requirements. It provides high level advice on program design and development. |
| Guía para el Diseño de Programas Jurisdiccionales y Anidados de REDD+ (PDF) | Este documento provee guía para jurisdicciones buscando usar los Requerimientos JNR. Provee consejo de alto nivel sobre el diseño y desarrollo de programas. |
| Technical Guidance for Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Programs (PDF) | This document provides advice on specific paragraphs of the JNR Requirements. |
| Guía Técnica para Programas Jurisdiccionales y Anidados de REDD+ (PDF) | Este documento provee consejo sobre párrafos específicos de los Requerimientos JNR. |