VCS Version 3 Rules & Requirements

See the Rules & Requirements page for the current versions of all VCS Program documents.

Below is a list of all archived VCS Version 3 requirements, procedural and guidance documents, and templates. All documents are no longer in use.

For a catalog of all updates made to VCS Version 3, see the Updates to the VCS Standards Version 3.

Requirements

VCS Program Guide, v3.7	Issued: 21 June 2017 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 VCS registry system. Translations Español: Guía de Programa VCS, v3.5 Français: Guide du Programme VCS, v3.5
VCS Standard v3.7	Issued: 21 June 2017 The VCS Standard sets out all specific requirements for developing projects and methodologies, and for the validation, monitoring and verification of projects and GHG emission reductions and removals. Four sub-documents elaborate on specific aspects of VCS Standard, setting out detailed requirements for AFOLU and ODS projects and methodologies, as well as program definitions and fees. 21 March 2018 Update Translations Español: Estándar VCS, v3.4 Français: Standard du VCS, v3.4
AFOLU Requirements, v3.6	Issued: 21 June 2017 The AFOLU Requirements document sets out detailed requirements for developing projects and methodologies in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. 21 March 2018 Update Translations Español: Requerimientos AFOLU, v3.4 Français: Conditions Requises pour l’AFOLU, v3.4
JNR Requirements, v3.4	Issued: 21 June 2017 The JNR Requirements sets out detailed requirements for national and subnational Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) programs and nested projects. Translations Español: Requerimientos JNR, v3.1 Français: Conditions Requises pour la JNR, v3.2
ODS Requirements, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2011 The ODS Requirements document sets our detailed requirements for projects and methodologies that destroy ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
Program Definitions, v3.7	Issued: 21 June 2017 Program Definitions is a reference that defines all terms used in VCS Program documents. Translations Español: Definiciones de Programa, v3.5 Français: Définitions du Programme, v3.5
Program Fee Schedule, v3.8	Issued: 1 December 2018 The Program Fee Schedule sets out the fees applicable under the VCS Program.

Procedural

Registration & Issuance Process, v3.8	Issued: 21 June 2017 The Registration & Issuance Process documents sets out the procedures and rules for registering projects and issuing Verified Carbon Units (VCUs). 21 March 2018 Update
Methodology Approval Process, v3.7	Issued: 21 June 2017 The Methodology Approval Process document sets out procedures and rules for the approval of VCS methodology elements.
AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 The AFOLU Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for AFOLU projects.
JNR Validation and Verification Process, v3.0	Issued: 8 October 2013 The JNR Validation and Verification Process document sets out the procedures and rules for reviewing national and subnational jurisdictional and nested REDD+ (JNR) programs.
JNR Registration and Issuance Process, v3.0	Issued: 8 October 2013 The JNR Registration and Issuance Process document sets out the procedures and rules for registering national and subnational JNR programs.
JNR Non-Permanence Risk Tool, v3.0	Issued: 8 October 2013 The JNR Non-Permanence Risk Tool sets out the procedure for conducting non-permanence risk analysis and buffer determination for JNR programs. Translations Français: Outil de Gestion du Risque de Non Permanence pour la JNR, v3.0

Templates & Forms

VCS Project

Project Description, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Project description template.
Monitoring Report, v3.4	Issued: 19 October 2016 Monitoring report template.
Joint Project Description & Monitoring Report, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Joint project description and monitoring report template.
Registration Representation (single PP), v3.4	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the project.
Registration Representation (multiple PPs), v3.4	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals.
Issuance Representation (single PP), v3.5	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals.
Issuance Representation (multiple PPs), v3.5	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of GHG emission reductions or removals from projects with multiple project proponents.
Listing Representation (single PP), v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project.
Listing Representation (multiple PPs), v3.2	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the pipeline project with multiple project proponents.
Validation Report, v3.4	Issued: 19 October 2016 Validation report template.
Verification Report, v3.4	Issued: 19 October 2016 Verification report template.
Joint Validation & Verification Report, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Joint validation and verification report template.
Validation Representation, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of validation.
Verification Representation, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of verification.
Non-Permanence Risk Report, v3.2	Issued: 19 October 2016 Risk report template (long form) for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects.
Non-Permanence Risk Report (Short Form), v3.0	Issued: 4 October 2012 Risk report template for describing and analyzing the non-permanence risk for AFOLU projects, for use with Risk Report Calculation Tool.
Risk Report Calculation Tool, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 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).
Loss Event Report, v3.2	Issued: 21 June 2017 Loss event report template for estimating an unplanned loss of carbon stock for AFOLU projects.
Loss Event Representation, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the loss event report, for project proponents.
Accession Representation, v3.0	Issued: 8 March 2011 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents joining a project.
Partial Release Representation, v3.0	Issued: 8 March 2011 Deed of representation issued in respect of project proponents leaving a project.
VCU Conversion Representation, v3.3	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of conversion of GHG credits into VCUs.

VCS & SOCIALCARBON Project

VCS+SOCIALCARBON Project Description Template, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Project description template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard
VCS+SOCIALCARBON Monitoring Report Template, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Monitoring report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard
VCS+SOCIALCARBON Validation Report Template, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Validation Report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard
VCS+SOCIALCARBON Verification Report Template, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Verification report template for projects pursuing certification under VCS and the SOCIALCARBON Standard

JNR Program

JNR Program Description, v3.2	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	Issued: 19 December 2013 JNR baseline description template for the development of jurisdictional baselines applying Scenario 1.
JNR Baseline Validation Representation, v3.0	Issued: 30 October 2014 Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline validation.
JNR Program Listing Representation (single JP), v3.1	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	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program with multiple jurisdictional proponents listing with VCS.
JNR Baseline Listing Representation (single JP), v3.1	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	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	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect the jurisdictional REDD+ program validation.
JNR Program Verification Representation, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program verification.
JNR Monitoring Report, v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 JNR monitoring report template
JNR Program Registration Representation (single JP), v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional REDD+ program.
JNR Program Registration Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1	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	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect to the jurisdictional baseline.
JNR Baseline Registration Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1	Issued: 19 October 2016 Deed of representation issued in respect of the jurisdictional baseline with multiple jurisdictional proponents.
JNR Program Issuance Representation (single JP), v3.1	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	Issued: 19 October 2016 JNR validation report template.
JNR Program Issuance Representation (multiple JPs), v3.1	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	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	Issued: 19 December 2013 Form for submitting an application to become a JNR expert.

Methodology

Methodology Concept Note, v3.0	Issued: 25 March 2015 Methodology concept note template.
Minor Methodology Revision Description, v3.0	Issued: 25 March 2015 Minor methodology revision description template.
Methodology, v3.3	Issued: 8 October 2013 Methodology template.
Module, v3.3	Issued: 8 October 2013 Module template (for tools and modules).
Methodology Approval Process Submission Form, v3.1	Issued: 4 October 2012 Form for submitting a methodology element to Verra.
Methodology Element Approval Request Form, v3.2	Issued: 7 August 2018 Form for requesting final approval of a methodology element from Verra.
Methodology Assessment Report Template, v3.1	Issued: 8 October 2013 Report template for validation/verification bodies conducting a first or second methodology assessment.
Methodology Expert Application Form, v3.3	Issued: 4 October 2012 Form for submitting an application to become a methodology assessment expert.

Guidance

JNR Program Guidance

Guidance for Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Program Design	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+	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	This document provides advice on specific paragraphs of the JNR Requirements.
Guía Técnica para Programas Jurisdiccionales y Anidados de REDD+	Este documento provee consejo sobre párrafos específicos de los Requerimientos JNR.

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