Verification Process Overview

Verification Process Overview

The verification process is outlined in the General Verification Protocol (GVP). The key steps to verification are summarized below:

1. Member Submits CRIS Report for Verification: Once the report is submitted for verification, data is "read-only" to the Member.
2. Member Selects a Verification Body: A Member contacts one or more accredited Verification Bodies to request a proposal for verification services. Members may refer to the Guide to Understanding Factors that Affect Verification Costs for guidance in understanding the process and associated costs. The Member selects an organization to verify its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions results and begins to negotiate contract terms.
3. Verification Body Conducts Case-Specific Evaluation of Conflict of Interest: Before a Member can finalize a contract with a Verification Body, the Verification Body must conduct a case-specific Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment to establish that the likelihood of a COI between parties is low. This assessment must be carefully documented, as it will be reviewed by The Registry prior to the initiation of verification activities and by ANSI in its regular audits of Verification Bodies to ensure that conflicts do not exist. The Registry reviews the COI assessment and notifies the Verification Body of its determination within 15 business days.
4. Verification Body and Member Finalize Contract: If The Registry determines that the risk of a COI between the Verification Body and the Member is low, the Verification Body may finalize its contract with the Member.
5. Verification Develops a Verification Plan: The Verification Body develops a sampling plan, identifies facilities to be visited and submits a Notification of Planned Facility Visits form to The Registry at least 15 business days before the scheduled visits. This allows The Registry and the Accreditation Body the opportunity to accompany the Verification Body when they conduct verification activities.
6. Verification Body Conducts Core Verification Activities: The Verification Body follows the guidance in the GVP to evaluate a Member's Annual GHG Emission Report.
7. Verification Body Informs Member of Reporting Errors: The Verification Body prepares a detailed summary (e.g. Draft Verification Report) of the verification activities and misstatements (both material and immaterial) and reviews it with the Member.
8. Member Implements Corrective Action: The Member corrects all material misstatements and as many immaterial misstatements as possible.
9. Verification Body Prepares Final Verification Report and Verification Statement: The Verification Body prepares a final Verification Report and a Verification Statement and reviews these documents with the Member.
10. Member and Verification Body Sign Verification Statement: The Member returns the signed Verification Statement to the Verification Body.
11. Verification Body Completes Verification Module in CRIS: The Verification Body uploads the fully-executed Verification Statement (as pdf file) and submits the verification in CRIS.
12. Member Accepts Verification in CRIS: The Member logs into CRIS to click the "Accept Verification" button.
13. Registry Reviews the Verification Documentation: The Registry reviews a Member's Verification Statement and evaluates the Member's emission report. Once accepted by The Registry, a Member's emission report becomes available to the public via CRIS.

Members may choose to work with the same Verification Body for a maximum of six consecutive years.

CORE VERIFICATION ACTIVITIES

The Registry's core verification activities consist of a risk-based assessment of a Member's annual GHG emission report. The core verification activities consist of the following five steps:

VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION

Verifiers will prepare the following two documents for a Member:

• Verification Report: A detailed description of the verification activities undertaken by the Verifier and its findings. This is a confidential document between the Member and its Verifier.
• Verification Statement: An attestation of the completion of verification activities, which contains the Verification Body's assessment of the reported GHG emissions.

ACCREDITATION

To become a Registry-recognized Verification Body, firms must become accredited to ISO 14065 by an Accreditation Body with which The Registry has partnered (e.g. ANSI). The accreditation process is designed to ensure that Verification Bodies have the necessary competencies to accurately assess a Member's GHG emission report. Additionally, the process will help to ensure that Verification Bodies do not have COIs with Members.