Verification
AB 32 requires regulatory verification of all GHG reductions and removal enhancements used for compliance in the Cap-and-Trade Program. The Cap-and-Trade Regulation includes requirements that verification bodies and offset verifiers must meet to be accredited by ARB to conduct regulatory verification.
ARB-Accredited Offset Verification Bodies and Offset Verifiers
An Offset Project Operator or Authorized Project Designee must obtain the services of an ARB-accredited verification body to perform offset verification services.
Compliance Verification Forms
To conduct offset verification services, offset verification bodies and offset verifiers will need to submit information prior to and during verification activities. Before offset verification services may begin the verification body must submit information for a Notice of Offset Verification Services (NOVS) to ARB and the applicable Offset Project Registry with which the project is listed.
In addition, the verification body must submit information for a Conflict of Interest (COI) self-evaluation to the applicable Offset Project Registry with which the project is listed. The Offset Project Registry must review and approve the conflict of interest self-evaluation.
The verification body must submit an Offset Verification Statement to the applicable Offset Project Registry with which the project is listed.
Current versions of all required verification forms are available from CA ARB's Compliance Offset Program Forms webpage.
Offset Verification Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ARB has developed general guidance on the offset verification program. In addition, ARB will develop Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will be continuously updated as answers to specific questions are established. FAQs will be developed for offset verification related issues in general, as well as specifically for each Compliance Offset Protocol.
