Validation / verification Process
RSJ has established processes for all validation and verification activities, incorporating guidance specific to GHG program requirements.
1. Pre-Engagement
RSJ’s pre-engagement process ensures thorough evaluation of client inquiries by verifying sectoral accreditation, resource availability, and impartiality concerns. Clients must provide detailed project information, including the GHG program, claim scope, and supporting data for validation or verification.
RSJ adheres to ISO 14064 standards and operates within VCS, GS, and GCC program rules, conducting contract reviews to confirm compliance, team competency, and feasibility before accepting engagements.
2. Engagement
Once the contract review is completed and the decision to proceed is made, RSJ formalizes the engagement with the client through a contractual agreement. The contract outlines key parameters such as level of assurance, objectives, scope, materiality, and provisions for potential rework or amendments, ensuring compliance with validation/verification program requirements.
All contracts are uniquely numbered, reviewed by the Technical Manager, and approved by the Director, with records securely maintained for future reference.
3. Planning
During the planning stage, RSJ assigns a qualified team for validation/verification (V/V) activities, considering the project’s complexity, risks, and GHG program requirements. The Technical Manager ensures that team members declare no conflict of interest (COI) and confirms their availability.
Once the team is finalized, their details, including short CVs, are shared with the client, who has five working days to review and request changes. All records, including COI declarations and confirmations, are securely stored for future reference.
4. Validation / Verification execution
During Validation / Verification execution, RSJ follows the agreed plan to gather sufficient, traceable evidence and assess conformity with GHG program requirements. Misstatements, materiality, and changes are carefully evaluated, with findings shared with the client for resolution.
Reports are drafted based on evidence, with opinions categorized appropriately, ensuring compliance with ISO standards and program-specific formats, and documenting the use of ICTnsecurely in the final report.
5. Review
The Technical Reviewer (TR) conducts a detailed review of the draft report to ensure compliance with RSJ procedures, GHG program requirements, and ISO standards. The TR evaluates team competencies, evidence, and findings, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations.
Using the Technical Review checklist, the TR records results, requests clarifications, and submits the final report for Director approval, ensuring the validation/verification statement meets all required criteria before issuing the final opinion.
6. Decision on Validation / Verification statement & issuance
The final validation/verification report is determined by the independent Technical Reviewer, with the Director serving as the signing authority. RSJ ensures the report includes all necessary details, such as scope, engagement type, level of assurance, and compliance with ISO 14064- 3:2019 and relevant program standards.
If unresolved issues arise or the opinion cannot be issued, the client is promptly notified, and for VCS and AFOLU projects, RSJ follows specific reporting templates and guidelines to ensure transparency and traceability.
7. Facts discovered after issuance of Validation / Verification statement
In cases where new facts, complaints, or feedback affect the issued report, RSJ conducts an internal meeting with the team, Technical Reviewer, and Director to assess the impact. If revisions or withdrawals are necessary, the client and program owner are promptly informed, and all actions are documented in a consolidated report. Any changes are discussed during the Management Review meeting, with interested parties notified accordingly.
8. Special validation/verification
RSJ’s validation and verification process follow ISO 14064:3, RSJ QMS, and VCS Standard v4.4, ensuring alignment with program rules and methodologies. Reports use the latest Verra templates, with comprehensive statements covering objectives, scope, criteria, and conclusions.
Records are securely kept for two years, and grouped projects are validated and verified using statistically sound methods to ensure proper conformance and thorough documentation.
1. Pre-Engagement
RSJ’s pre-engagement process ensures thorough evaluation of client inquiries by verifying sectoral accreditation, resource availability, and impartiality concerns. Clients must provide detailed project information, including the GHG program, claim scope, and supporting data for validation or verification.
RSJ adheres to ISO 14064 standards and operates within VCS, GS, and GCC program rules, conducting contract reviews to confirm compliance, team competency, and feasibility before accepting engagements.
2. Engagement
Once the contract review is completed and the decision to proceed is made, RSJ formalizes the engagement with the client through a contractual agreement. The contract outlines key parameters such as level of assurance, objectives, scope, materiality, and provisions for potential rework or amendments, ensuring compliance with validation/verification program requirements.
All contracts are uniquely numbered, reviewed by the Technical Manager, and approved by the Director, with records securely maintained for future reference.
3. Planning
During the planning stage, RSJ assigns a qualified team for validation/verification (V/V) activities, considering the project’s complexity, risks, and GHG program requirements. The Technical Manager ensures that team members declare no conflict of interest (COI) and confirms their availability.
Once the team is finalized, their details, including short CVs, are shared with the client, who has five working days to review and request changes. All records, including COI declarations and confirmations, are securely stored for future reference.
4. Validation / Verification execution
During Validation / Verification execution, RSJ follows the agreed plan to gather sufficient, traceable evidence and assess conformity with GHG program requirements. Misstatements, materiality, and changes are carefully evaluated, with findings shared with the client for resolution.
Reports are drafted based on evidence, with opinions categorized appropriately, ensuring compliance with ISO standards and program-specific formats, and documenting the use of ICTnsecurely in the final report.
5. Review
The Technical Reviewer (TR) conducts a detailed review of the draft report to ensure compliance with RSJ procedures, GHG program requirements, and ISO standards. The TR evaluates team competencies, evidence, and findings, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations.
Using the Technical Review checklist, the TR records results, requests clarifications, and submits the final report for Director approval, ensuring the validation/verification statement meets all required criteria before issuing the final opinion.
6. Decision on Validation / Verification statement & issuance
The final validation/verification report is determined by the independent Technical Reviewer, with the Director serving as the signing authority. RSJ ensures the report includes all necessary details, such as scope, engagement type, level of assurance, and compliance with ISO 14064- 3:2019 and relevant program standards.
If unresolved issues arise or the opinion cannot be issued, the client is promptly notified, and for VCS and AFOLU projects, RSJ follows specific reporting templates and guidelines to ensure transparency and traceability.
7. Facts discovered after issuance of Validation / Verification statement
In cases where new facts, complaints, or feedback affect the issued report, RSJ conducts an internal meeting with the team, Technical Reviewer, and Director to assess the impact. If revisions or withdrawals are necessary, the client and program owner are promptly informed, and all actions are documented in a consolidated report. Any changes are discussed during the Management Review meeting, with interested parties notified accordingly.
8. Special validation/verification
RSJ’s validation and verification process follow ISO 14064:3, RSJ QMS, and VCS Standard v4.4, ensuring alignment with program rules and methodologies. Reports use the latest Verra templates, with comprehensive statements covering objectives, scope, criteria, and conclusions.
Records are securely kept for two years, and grouped projects are validated and verified using statistically sound methods to ensure proper conformance and thorough documentation.