Publication of the Guidance on Accreditation version 2.0

By: Ryan Cassutt

The Climate Registry (TCR) is pleased to announce the publication of the Guidance on Accreditation (GoA) version 2.0. This new version replaces the previous GoA, published in May 2008.

What is accreditation, and why is it important for third-party verification bodies to be accredited?

Accreditation is the process by which verification bodies (VBs) and other conformity assessment bodies (e.g., management system certification bodies, testing laboratories, and inspection bodies) are evaluated to ensure they are competent to provide services required by the program in which they operate, and that they demonstrate and maintain independence, impartiality, and quality. These evaluations are conducted by an accreditation body (AB), which are organizations at the national level that accredit VBs to conduct verifications for a given program or standard. ABs monitor VBs’ performance and compliance with program requirements, and they can sanction organizations that fail to meet accreditation standards. Since 2009, TCR has partnered with the ANSI National Accreditation Body (ANAB) to ensure its VBs follow the requirements in its General Verification Protocol and are competent to conduct verifications.

TCR bases both its verification and accreditation of VBs international standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards include ISO 14064-3 on verification of validation and verification of greenhouse gas statements, ISO/IEC 17029 on principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies, and 14065 on principles and requirements for bodies validating and verifying environmental information. These standards reflect internationally recognized best practices and are used to report and verify carbon footprints around the world. Combined with third-party verification, accreditation ensures that inventories reported to TCR meet high-quality expectations and align with global norms.

 

What is the Guidance on Accreditation (GoA)?

GoA version 1.0 was released in May 2008, approximately one year after The Climate Registry was founded. The GoA was intended as a resource for organizations to understand the requirements to become accredited verification bodies. It summarized the accreditation process added new requirements for VBs seeking to participate in TCR’s then-new voluntary GHG reporting program, now known as the Carbon Footprint Registry (CFR).

While GoA 1.0 drew extensively from ISO standards, particularly 14065, it was not intended to replace these standards, but rather to introduce and summarize some of the key principles and requirements. It also provided an overview of the process by which accreditation bodies accredit and monitor VBs in their programs, and it included appendices on competence requirements for verification teams and specific requirements of TCR’s partner ABs. The GoA is available freely for any organization or individual seeking to understand the process of accreditation and how accreditation supports TCR and its members.

 

Why are we updating the GoA?

As TCR has grown over the past twenty years, its verification and accreditation systems have grown with it, including new versions of its core protocols, four sector-specific protocols, upgrades to the CRIS, TCR’s greenhouse gas emissions platform, and the launch of the WEN Registry and Net-Zero Portal. The international standards which underpinned the GoA also saw new versions released in 2019 and 2020, along with updated mandatory documents on the application of these standards from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF[KG6] ). ANAB’s accreditation program has continued to evolve as well, with new policies introduced to support both new and existing verification programs.

While much of the GoA remains the same as version 1.0, here’s what’s changed in version 2.0:

In following with TCR’s updated protocols, the document has been streamlined and simplified to create a more concise document.

  • Updated requirements from ISO 14065:2020 and ISO/IEC 17029 have been included throughout.
  •  Competence requirements for verification teams in appendix C have been comprehensively updated drawing from ISO 14065:2020 and 14066:2023.
  • Terminology and references have been updated throughout the document to align with TCR program updates and updated international standards.
  • The GoA has been updated to reflect TCR program updates (including more GHGs, worldwide geographic boundaries, and the ability for entity-level reporting).
  • The additional TCR requirement for VBs to provide their AB with a summary of their annual verification activities has been removed (VBs are already required to provide this to their ABs).
  •  In the FAQs, TCR is Introducing a new Training and Administration for new VBs, along with training and education services to build capacity and support the development of additional training and resources for Members and VBs. More can be found in the updated Verification Agreement on the TCR Verification webpage.
  • Appendix D on ANAB accreditation requirements has been updated with up-to-date program requirements.
  •  Appendix E on maintaining impartiality for verification bodies that provide advisory services has been removed, as impartiality requirements are now included within ISO/IEC 17029:2019 and addressed extensively in the General Verification Protocol 3.0.

 

Conclusion and looking ahead

Third-party verification remains essential for ensuring that carbon footprints reported through TCR’s Carbon Footprint Registry and Water-Energy Nexus Registry are accurate and meet required criteria. Accreditation reinforces that verifiers themselves adhere to internationally recognized best practices. For nearly twenty years, The Climate Registry has equipped its community with tools, resources, and support needed to measure and disclose their carbon footprints, and it will continue to promote verification by an accredited VB to help organizations achieve their reduction goals.  For organizations considering applying to become a TCR verifier, please contact us.

Thank you to our Verification Advisory Committee and Policy and Protocols Committee, and special thanks to ANAB for their thoughtful feedback and contributions during the stakeholder review period.

 

Access the Guidance on Accreditation (GoA) version 2.0 here.