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Standards and Methodologies
Validation and Verification
The American Carbon Registry (ACR) requires independent third-party validation and verification of all carbon offset projects following ACR Validation and Verification Guidelines.
Verification is a risk-based process carried out in conformance with ISO 14064-3:2006 and ISO 14065:2007. ACR validation and verification bodies (VVBs) shall be accredited for project validation and verification and the scope of the applicable methodology, and VVB teams shall meet the competence requirements as set out in ISO 14065:2007.
Verification bodies for California compliance projects must be accredited by the California Air Resources Board (ARB). All VVBs for voluntary market projects must be approved by ACR through the process below, and either be ANSI-accredited in the applicable sectoral scope, or be Designated Operational Entities approved under the Clean Development Mechanism or Accredited Independent Entities approved under Joint Implementation.
Information Requirements
For voluntary carbon market projects, ACR requires that all ACR Approved VVBs execute an Attestation of Validation/Verification Body, which defines the VVB role and responsibilities and ensures technical capabilities and no conflicts of interest. ACR Approved VVBs must also execute a project-specific conflict of interest form for each project validated and/or verified.
Validation and Verification activities must address all requirements listed in the American Carbon Registry Standards and follow ACR Validation and Verification Guidelines. Projects must be verified without reservation, with project proponents having addressed all clarifications and corrections required by the VVB.
Once ACR reviews and accepts a verification statement, and the project proponent has already completed all other required steps, ACR will register the project; post the GHG Project Plan, verification statement, and other documentation to the ACR website; and issue serialized ERTs to the Project Proponent’s account.
Validation and Verification Interval
ACR requires verification at specified intervals in order to issue new ERTs. Validation of the GHG Project Plan is required once per crediting period. Validation and the first verification may be conducted simultaneously, and may be conducted by the same approved validation and verification body (VVB).
ERTs may be created and issued annually, or at the Proponent’s request, more or less frequently. At each request for issuance of new ERTs, the Project Proponent must submit a verification statement from an approved VVB based on a desk audit.
No less than once every five years, Proponents must submit a verification statement based on a full verification including a field visit to the project site. Further qualifications are detailed in the American Carbon Registry Standard v2.1 and relevant sector standards.
ACR Approved Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs)
The following validation / verification bodies have been approved by ACR:
| Validation/Verification Body | Approved ACR Validation/Verification Scope(s) | ANSI Accredited Sector(s) for Project-Level Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Agri-Waste Technology, Inc. | · Waste handling and disposal · Livestock · Forestry · Agriculture† |
Sector 3: Land Use and Forestry Sector 5: Livestock Sector 6: Waste handling and disposal |
| Det Norske Veritas (U.S.A.), Inc. | · Waste handling and disposal · Livestock · Energy industries · Power generation and distribution · Manufacturing industries · Chemical industries · Transport · Mining/mineral production · Forestry · Agriculture† |
Sector 1: GHG emission reductions from fuel combustion Sector 2: GHG emission reductions from industrial processes Sector 3: Land Use and Forestry Sector 5: Livestock Sector 6: Waste handling and disposal |
| Environmental Services, Inc. | · Forestry · Agriculture† |
Sector 3: Land Use and Forestry |
| First Environment, Inc. |
· Waste handling and disposal |
Sector 1: GHG emission reductions from fuel combustion Sector 2: GHG emission reductions from industrial processes |
| Rainforest Alliance, Inc. | · Forestry | Sector 3: Land Use and Forestry |
| Ruby Canyon Engineering, Inc. | · Waste handling and disposal · Livestock · Energy industries · Power generation and distribution · Manufacturing industries · Chemical industries · Transport · Mining/mineral production |
Sector 1: GHG emission reductions from fuel combustion |
| Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. / SCS Global Services |
· Waste handling and disposal |
Sector 3: Land Use and Forestry |
†Includes fertilizer management and other forthcoming agriculture methodologies
In addition, ACR approves Designated Operational Entities approved under Clean Development Mechanism and Accredited Independent Entities approved under Joint Implementation, provided the entity completes the ACR verifier application form and submits all other required documentation.
| ACR Approved Methodology | Required Corresponding ANSI Scope Accreditation |
|---|---|
| Conversion of High-Bleed Pneumatic Controllers in Oil and Natural Gas Systems Improved Forest Management (IFM) – All Methodologies Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) of Degraded Lands - All methodologies Emissions Reductions through Changes in Fertilizer Management Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) – All Methodologies Livestock Waste Management Landfill Methane |
Sector 2: GHG emission reductions from industrial processes (non-combustion, chemical reaction, fugitive, and other) Sector 3: Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry
|
Becoming an ACR Approved Verification Body
Entities seeking to become an ACR Approved Validation and Verification Body can apply by sending a completed verifier application form, including all required attachments to ACR@winrock.org. A copy of the application form (no attachments) and a check for the $2000 application fee or $500 scope expansion fee should be mailed to:
Winrock International
ACR Verifier Application
Attn: Pia Mayer
2121 Crystal Dr., Suite 500
Arlington VA 22202
Please direct any questions to ACR@winrock.org.
