Become a VVB

APPLY TO BECOME A VVB

Gold Standard works with third-party Validation/Verification Bodies, who conduct audits of projects throughout the Gold Standard Certification Cycle. These are typically established auditing companies with ample experience in GHG validation/verification, which are accredited by a recognised Accreditation Body under one of several accreditation schemes recognised by Gold Standard.

Validation/Verification Bodies seeking approval to conduct validations and verifications for projects and programmes under Gold Standard for the Global Goals need to:

• Follow the Validation/Verification Body Requirements and ensure among others:
  • the organisation’s quality management system, policies and processes are aligned with GS4GG requirements 
  • the organisation is accredited by a recognized accreditation body and standard 
  • the organisation has the capacity and sufficient competent staff to comply with GS4GG requirements for the expected size of the portfolio of audits 
• Provide a completed VVB application and all relevant documentation as per Annex C of the Validation & Verification Body Requirements to Gold Standard at vvb@goldstandard.org. Our templates help to ensure the readiness of your application:
  • VVB application form 
  • Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge 
  • VVB Quality Management System in-depth Review Checklist 
• Ensure that all named auditors have passed the GS auditor examination within 4 weeks applying for approval as GS-VVB.

AUDITOR COMPETENCES AND EXAMINATIONS

VVB’s shall have auditors (team leaders and validators/verifiers) that are competent in Gold Standard for the Global Goals requirements and procedures. Each VVB shall put forward a list of auditors for GS approval. The VVB does that through submission of the Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge template.  

To become GS-approved, auditors shall demonstrate: 

• Knowledge and competences in the Gold Standard for the Global Goals Standard, through passing the respective scope(s) of the Gold Standard online auditor examination on the Gold Standard Learning Platform 

• That they have been named an auditor (validator/verifier, Team Leader, Technical Reviewer) by a GS-approved VVB. Note: If named by a VVB in the process of approval, the auditor may only be approved after the approval of the VVB is finalized. 

• That they have been assigned (by their VVB) technical areas relevant to the scope of their approval. Currently, Gold Standard approves auditors for 2 scopes: 
  • Energy and Waste 
  • Land-use and Forestry

• That they have experience relevant to the scope of their approval. 

Passing the GS auditor exam

1. VVBs submit an updated list of auditor to take the GS exam (through the Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge template. 

2. Each auditor will receive login credentials and access to the Gold Standard Learning Platform, where all required examinations and training modules are available. For more information, consult the page VVB Training and exams.   

3. Auditors prepare for the exam of their selected scope. Please see this Study Guide for a list of the key documents related to the GS examination. 

4. Auditors pass the exam. 

5. GS may require further information (e.g. CVs, certificates).

6. GS approves the auditor.

7. GS updates the VVB’s page on the globalgoals.goldstandard.org website. 

RECOGNISED ACCREDITATION BODIES UNDER GS4GG 

• ISO 14065 for Greenhouse Gas activities accreditation offered under the ANSI-GS Accreditation Program 

• Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) 

• UNFCCC-CDM/A6.4 Accreditation (AIE or DOE status) 

• Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) 

• Organismo Nacional de Acreditación de Colombia (ONAC) 

• Global Accreditation Bureau (GAB) 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Gold Standard oversees the procedures + requirements for the VVB programme.

For any general inquiries, including the list below please contact vvb@goldstandard.org:

• VVB approval procedure
• Clarifications on requirements
• VVB applications and submissions, approvals or reapprovals
• Updates on accreditation status
• Webinars and trainings
• Auditors examinations
• Adding/removing auditors
• Certification decisions
• Grievances

For any inquiries by individuals who wish to:

• Audit Gold Standard projects: please seek collaboration with our approved Validation Verification Bodies. 
• Become a GS-approved auditor: please contact our approved Validation Verification Bodies. 
• Be involved in certification reviews of Gold Standard projects: please reach out at help@goldstandard.org. 
• Work directly at the Gold Standard Foundation: please follow our careers page.