Once a project’s PDD has been pre-validated internally by Riverse, it enters the validation step. The objective of validation is to provide an external evaluation to ensure that:
the LCA methods employed are robust and accurate,
that there is consistency in the primary data collected,
and that the project adequately answers to all 12 criteria outlined in the Riverse Standard Rules.
Validation seeks to guarantee the realness and authenticity of the project, ensuring that it genuinely contributes to the set objectives and is not merely a theoretical construct. This external validation provides an additional layer of credibility and trustworthiness to the entire process, ensuring stakeholders of the project's integrity and alignment with established requirements.
The VVB team must follow the procedures outlined in the “Project validation” section of the Riverse Procedures Manual.
The audit shall validate the following elements:
Consistency: The answers and evidence provided for each criterion of the Riverse Standard are consistent, conservative and valid;
Model: if the project is not covered by one of the Riverse methodologies, check that the LCA includes all necessary life cycle stages, and the methodology is in line with current LCA practice;
Data authenticity and estimates: inputs include actual data and where appropriate estimates, and are supported by technical data from reliable and recognised sources;
Model usage: the Project Developers uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to calculate the estimated carbon removals and avoidance, and determine the number of Riverse Carbon Credits (RCCs) to issue. The choice of the baseline scenario is justified, using accurate and conservative assumptions.
RCCs estimation over the crediting period: The projected quantity of removal/avoidance RCCs expected per annum has been validated, based on the modeled emission reductions and the expected output/production quantity of the project.
Monitoring Plan: the documents and indicators suggested in the Monitoring Plan will allow the VVB to verify project eligibility and RCCs issuance in the following years.
Once the project has undergone validation, it transitions to the verification phase with a designated Validation and Verification Body (VVB). The primary objectives of VVB verification are to ascertain the project's ongoing integrity, eligibility, and alignment with the initial projections. Verification is done for each year of the crediting period.
This involves a thorough:
review of the validity and proof of indicators presented in the Monitoring Plan.
evaluation of any major reported changes to the project, such as changes in operations or production output. Ensure that the project still meets the eligibility criteria.
validation of updated LCA calculations (using indicators from the Monitoring Plan), and the corresponding amount of RCCs to issue.
The output of this verification will be used to verify and issue the expected amount of RCCs, cancel (in case of underachievement) or issue additional RCCs (in case of overachievement).
The VVB team must follow the procedures outlined in the “Annual monitoring & verification” section of the Riverse Procedures Manual.
Following the comprehensive audit work, the derived results are as follows:
Consistency: The answers and evidence furnished for each criterion of the Monitoring Plan of the project have been verified and found to be consistent and valid.
Model: The model employed for CO2 calculation is the same as in the validation process, or is the latest version of related framework
Data authenticity and estimates: inputs include actual data and where appropriate estimates, and are supported by technical data from reliable and recognised sources;
Project/Process change: All major project/process change are duly reported and documented
LCA update: The LCA calculations have been accurately updated to reflect the indicators measured in the Monitoring Plan, and any major project/process changes if any)
RCCs verification: The annual quantity of removal/avoidance RCCs, based on real ex-ante carbon reductions/sequestration, has been verified.
VVBs shall have a valid accreditation from either:
ISO 14065 or equivalent
COFRAC ISO:17029 or equivalent
Approval as a Designated Operational Entity (DOE) under UNFCCC-CDM, with scopes: 1, 4, 5 6 or 13
The VVB company shall prove more than 5 years of auditing experience, including at least 2 years in environmental/sustainability auditing (refer to Structure and competencies
VVB shall adhere to Riverse Conflict of Interest Policy and confirm their independence from the market and carbon credits transactions.
VVB shall submit a declaration of conflict of interest form at each validation or verification process they perform.
VVB must demonstrate knowledge of and experience on the sector its seeks accreditation for by providing:
CVs of the lead auditors
Proof of work on at least 2 projects within the sector within the 2 previous years
At application review and on yearly basis the VVB shall:
Prove that the company is financially sound
Disclose the Riverse program any negative media coverage
Disclose any legal/juridical proceedings
The VVB must demonstrate its knowledge of and experience related to a specific sector on which it can conduct the VVB tasks.
This sector should be one of the following:
Industrial circular economy solutions
Bioenergies
Biomass carbon removal and storage
Construction sector
Engineered removals
The VVB submitted the VVB application form.
Upon receipt of the application, the Riverse Secretariat reviews the information provided and responds once the review is complete.
Rejection: Riverse rejects applications where it determines that the applicant does not possess the required competencies, specified in the section above.
Approval: Riverse approves the application and sends documents to be signed.
VVB must submit a signed copy of the Riverse Conflict of Interest Policy, and a signed copy of this current document, Requirements for VVB.
Riverse Secretariat organizes training with the Certification team, on the Riverse Standard and the Impact Certification Platform. Methodologic specific training could be planned depending on the scope of the accreditation.
Once all the above is completed, the Riverse Secretariat delivers an accreditation to the VVB. It can start working with projects seeking validation under the Riverse program.
The VVB organization is added as an approved VVB on Riverse’s website.
Each VVB must employ a minimum of two auditors: one Auditor leader and one Internal reviewer, in addition to the wider audit team. This policy ensures that the Audit Team for every project includes at least two auditors, one to serve as the audit team leader and one to serve as the Internal Reviewer. The audit team may also include additional auditors, local experts, content experts, and/or translators. The Audit Leader is the main contact person for project verification.
The Team Leader must demonstrate:
Knowledge of the Riverse Standard and accompanying documents;
Knowledge of and experience related to the framework for emissions avoidance or removals project;
Competency leading audits and coordinating team members.
The audit team must demonstrate collective knowledge and expertise in:
The Riverse Standard Rules, methodologies, and relevant procedures, as well as specific expertise in the project type/activity;
The GHG emission avoidance/removal accounting methodology(ies) applied by the project, including activity data and emissions factors;
Data sampling techniques, including risk weighting and statistical significance calculation;
Project baselines, removals, and sequestration;
Concepts such as additionality, leakage and permanence;
Risk assessment techniques;
Data monitoring, auditing, and assurance;
Desk-based reviews of documents, data, and records;
Validation and verification techniques, to assess accuracy and appropriateness of gathered evidence; and
Preparation of validation and verification reports.
The on-the-ground audit team must demonstrate knowledge and expertise in:
Country-specific knowledge/language skills;
Interviewing, listening, and observing; and
Sensitivity towards socio-economic matters and environmental and social safeguards.
Appropriate checks must be completed through:
A Internal Reviewer, approved by Riverse as a lead auditor, to perform a final QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) review attesting to accuracy of data. The Internal Reviewer is not part of any direct validation or verification activities and shall remain neutral.
A Conflict of Interest (COI) form that is submitted to Riverse’s Certification team when an audit team is contracted for validation or verification. The VVB is the responsible party for a Riverse audit. VVBs must ensure that individual validators and verifiers are qualified with the proper training and skills to conduct verification activities.
The VVB is responsible for assembling a competent and qualified Audit Team to undertake validation / verification activities before commencement of the activities. It must consider the capabilities and capacities of its staff when building the team and skills mentioned in Structure and Competency of VVB Audit Teams. The Audit Team must have sector-specific competency in relation to the type of project being validated/verified.
CVs of Lead Auditors (Lead Auditor and Internal Reviewer) and a COI form should be submitted to the Certification team for approval prior to carrying out validation/verification services for a project.
To maintain impartiality and credibility, and reduce complacency and bias, a single VVB may conduct a maximum of three (3) sequential verifications for a specific project.
Upon reaching this limit, the Project Developer is required to engage a different VVB for subsequent verifications. The Project Developer shall be granted a transition period of six (6) months to engage a new VVB for the subsequent verification.
Project developers must maintain comprehensive records of all verifications, including the VVBs involved, to demonstrate compliance with this rule.
Regular audits will be conducted to ensure Project Developers adhere to this rule. Non-compliance may result in penalties or suspension of the project's validation status.
Regular monitoring ensures that VVBs consistently perform accurate, impartial and timely validation and verification audits.
The following metrics will be employed to evaluate a VVB's performance:
Timeliness: Adherence to stipulated timelines for project validation and verification.
Accuracy: Correctness of validation and verification processes, calculations, and conclusions.
Consistency: Uniform application of requirements and methodologies across different projects.
Communication: Effectiveness and clarity in communication with Project Developers and other stakeholders.
Integrity: Adherence to ethical guidelines, including conflict of interest declarations.
Each VVB is required to submit an annual Performance Report that details its activities, challenges, and areas of improvement relating to its work with the Riverse certification process. This report should provide insights into the VVB's verification approach, methodologies employed, and training undertaken.
Project Developers are asked to provide feedback on the VVB's performance after each validation and verification process, as part of the Riverse satisfaction survey. This feedback will be integral to the VVB performance review.
The Standard Secretariat annually reviews the annual Performance Reports and assess VVBs based on the established performance metrics. VVBs are encouraged to continually enhance their skills, methodologies, and processes. Training resources, workshops, and seminars will be provided to support this endeavor.
This document presents guidelines for Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) for conducting evaluations of greenhouse gas emission avoidance and/or removals of project developers.
The aim of this document is to present guidelines for Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) for conducting comprehensive evaluations of greenhouse gas emission avoidance and/or removals of Project Developers under the Riverse Standard.
This document delineates the requirements and procedures necessary for ensuring compliance with the and . It pertains to the following types of audits:
Validation Audits
Verification Audits
This guidance is part of the larger framework of the Riverse Standard system, which encompasses the Riverse Standard Rules and the methodologies. Moreover, it complements the Riverse Procedures Manual that delineates project registration and supervision This document offers targeted guidance for auditors performing validation and verification audits within the specialized scope of Project Developers.
The guidelines detailed in this document become binding upon its formal release. Post this date, any VVB that meets the requirements can contribute to the validation and verification of Riverse Standard Projects.
Existing VVBs must reapply and provide the necessary documentation outlined in this text before continuing validation or verification tasks.
For VVBs who have an existing formalized agreement with Project Developers before the activation date of this guidance, a grace period of twelve months is given to apply again and comply with the new requirements.
Henceforth, Project Developers can only collaborate with VVBs officially recognized by Riverse, based on the requirements and processes defined herein. Projects already registered that haven't transitioned to the Riverse Standard Rules might be subjected to different review templates than those mentioned here.
I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the above requirements.
Company name:____________________
Name:_________________
Signature: ____________________________________ Date:_____________