Rules & Requirements
The VCS Program rules are the backbone of the program. They define the standards and processes which all projects must follow in order to be certified. The VCS Program rules are set out in a suite of documents which include four types of program documents: Requirements, Procedural, Templates, and Guidance.
Documents are updated periodically. Please check this page to be sure you are using the latest version of a given document.
For more information on the VCS Version 4 development process and program updates, see the Governance & Development page. Updates are listed by year and quarter, including consultation documents, webinar materials, comment summaries, and effective date documents, where relevant.
Requirements
Requirements documents set out the core principles and requirements for developing projects and generating GHG credits that are real, additional, permanent, independently verified and transparently registered. All VCS projects are assessed against these requirements to determine whether they are eligible to register with the VCS Program.
| VCS Program Guide, v4.2 | 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 Standard, v4.3 | 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. |
| Errata & Clarifications to VCS Program Rules and Requirements | 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 | 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 | Issued: 29 April 2022 Clarification applicable to the VCS Program Guide, v4.1. |
| VCS Methodology Requirements, v4.2 | 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. |
| Program Definitions, v4.2 | 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 Fee Schedule, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program. |
| Complaints and Appeals Policy, v1.0 Política de quejas y apelaciones de Verra, v1.0 | Issued: 22 January 2019 Verra’s complaints and appeals policy. Política de reclamaciones y apelaciones de Verra |
Procedural
Procedural documents describe the steps required to perform different functions of the VCS Program, including how to apply for project registration and how to submit new methodologies for VCS approval. These documents guide users of the VCS Program through these different processes.
| Registration & Issuance Process, v4.2 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 The Registration & Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). |
| Methodology Approval Process, v4.1 Proceso de aprobación de metodologías, v4.0 | 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 |
| AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v4.0 Herramienta de riesgo de no permanencia de AFOLU, v4.0 | 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. 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 |
Templates & Forms
Templates and forms are provided to ensure that users of the VCS Program have a consistent structure to work from when completing certain documents. These templates are required for the completion of project descriptions, monitoring reports, verification reports and other required documentation.
VCS Project
| Project Description, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Project description template. |
| Monitoring Report, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Monitoring report template. |
| Joint Project Description & Monitoring Report, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 February 2022 Joint project description and monitoring report template. |
| Registration Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project. |
| Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals. |
| Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents. |
| Listing Representation (single PP), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project. |
| Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents. |
| Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template | Issued: 14 July 2020 Sustainable Development Contributions Report Template. |
| Validation Report, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Validation report template. |
| Verification Report, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Verification report template. |
| Joint Validation & Verification Report, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 February 2022 Joint validation and verification report template. |
| Validation Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation. |
| Verification Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report, v4.0 Plantilla de reporte de riesgo de no permanencia, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template (long form) for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects. Plantilla para el reporte de riesgo (formulario largo), para describir y analizar el riesgo de no permanencia para proyectos AFOLU. |
| Non-Permanence Risk Report (Short Form), v4.0 Plantilla de reporte de riesgo de no permanencia (formato corto), v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use with Risk Report Calculation Tool. Plantilla para el reporte de riesgo, que describe y analiza el riesgo de no permanencia para proyectos AFOLU, esta plantilla es para uso conjunto con la Herramienta de Calculo de Informes de Riesgo. |
| Risk Report Calculation Tool, v4.0 Herramienta de cálculo para el reporte de riesgos, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Risk report calculation tool for calculating and documenting the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use as annex to Non-Permanence Risk Report (long or short form). Herramienta de cálculo del reporte de riesgo, permite calcular y documentar el riesgo de no permanencia para los proyectos AFOLU, para uso como enazo al Reporte de Riesgo de No Permanencia (formulario largo o corto). |
| Loss Event Report, v4.0 Plantilla de reporte de evento de pérdida | Issued: 19 September 2019 Loss event report template for estimating an unplanned loss of carbon stock for AFOLU projects. Plantilla para el reporte de eventos de peridad, para estimar las pérdidas no planeadas en los stocks de carbono para proyectos AFOLU. |
| Loss Event Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of the loss event report, for project proponents. |
| Accession Registration Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of registration representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Partial Release Registration Representation, v4.1. | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
| VCU Conversion Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of representation issued in respect of conversion of GHG credits into VCUs. |
| Accession Listing Representation, v4.1 | Issued: 5 April 2022 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project. |
| Partial Release Listing Representation, v4.1. | Issued: 9 April 2020 Deed of listing representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project. |
VCS & CCB Project
| CCB & VCS Project Description, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.3 Plantilla de descripción de proyecto para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Project description template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. Formato de descripción del proyecto para aquellos que usan de manera conjunta los Programas CCB y VCS. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 Plantilla de reporte de monitoreo para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs Formato para el reporter de monitoreo, para proyectos que usan la versión 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB & VCS Validation Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 Plantilla de reporte de validación para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Validation report template for projects using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. Formato para el reporter de validación, para proyectos que usan la version 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v3.0, VCS v3.4 Plantilla de reporte de verificación para CCB v3.0 y VCS v4.2 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Verification report template for project using Version 3 of both the CCB and VCS Programs. Formato para el reporter de verificación, para proyectos que usan la version 3 del Programa CCB y la Versión 4 del Programa VCS. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v2.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the second edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Monitoring Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
| CCB & VCS Verification Report, CCB v1.0, VCS v3.4 | Issued: 21 June 2017 Monitoring report template for projects validated to the first edition of the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards and using and VCS Program. |
VCS & SOCIALCARBON Project
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Description Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Monitoring Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Monitoring report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Validation Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Validation Report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Verification Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard |
VCS & W+
| VCS & W+ Project Description, v4.0 | Issued: 3 December 2019 Project description template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Monitoring Report, v4.0 | Issued: 3 December 2019 Monitoring report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Verification Report, v4.0 | Issued: 26 August 2020 Verification report template for projects using the VCS Program and the W+ Standard. |
Methodology
| Methodology Concept Note, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Methodology concept note template. |
| Minor Methodology Revision Description, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Minor methodology revision description template. |
| Methodology, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 20 January 2022 Methodology template. |
| Module, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Module template (for tools and modules). |
| Methodology Approval Process Submission Form, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Form for submitting a methodology element to Verra. |
| Methodology Element Approval Request Form, v4.1 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Updated: 22 June 2022 Form for requesting final approval of a methodology element from Verra. |
| Methodology Assessment Report Template, v4.0 | Issued: 19 September 2019 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment. |
VVB
| VVB Application Form, v1.2 | Issued: 27 July 2022 Validation/verification body application form. |
| Verra VVB Agreement Template, v1.2 | Issued: 30 November 2021 VVB agreement template. |
| Verra Notice of Validation/Verification Services Form, v1.0 | Issued: 12 August 2022 Notice of validation/verification services form. |
Guidance
Guidance documents are periodically published to illustrate different aspects of the VCS rules using examples and other guidance.
Project Guidance
| Nesting Guidance for REDD+ Projects | Updated 10 December 2019 This document provides high-level guidance for VCS REDD+ projects on nesting into existing and emerging national (or subnational) REDD+ programs. |
| Guía de Anidación para Proyectos Redd+ Certificados | Actualizado 10 de diciembre de 2019 Este documento proporciona una guía de alto nivel para los proyectos REDD+ de VCS sobre la integración en programas nacionales (o subnacionales) de REDD+ existentes y emergentes. |
| Guidance for Loss Events | Provides examples for determining the proper number of credits to be placed on hold or cancelled due to a loss event in a Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) project. |
| Guidance for ARR Applying CDM Methodologies | Clarifies how Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects must follow VCS AFOLU Requirements and a CDM Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) methodology. |
| Guidance for ARR Calculating Long-Term Average Carbon Stock | Provides scenarios for calculating the average carbon stock over various harvesting cycles for Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects. |
| Guidance on Double Counting | Provides guidance on various forms of double counting and how these should be addressed. |
| VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Development Process | Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard. |
| VCS & W+ Project Development Process | Guides project developers pursuing project certification under VCS and the W+ Standard. |
Methodology Guidance
| Guidance for Standardized Methods | Assists methodology developers to apply standardized methods requirements set out in the VCS Standard and Methodology Approval Process. |
VVB Guidance
| Validation and Verification Manual, v3.2 | Supports validation/verification bodies (VVBs) and other VCS stakeholders to consistently and accurately interpret VCS Program requirements and procedures. |
Other Guidance
| Guidance on Converting CERs to VCUs | Provides guidance on the procedure for cancelling Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued by the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and converting them to VCUs. |
Finally, note that the VCS Program rules have progressed through a number of iterations over time. Previous versions of the VCS Program rules which are no longer in use are archived on the Verra website.
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