Q&A

It is correct that VVBs do not currently have access to the SC platform. In such a case, we would request you to submit two versions of the report – one with the list of stakeholders (marked as confidential) and one without the names. The idea is to keep the names confidential in the public domain and not necessarily from the PDs.

SC endeavors to inform the auditor as soon as the exam is undertaken. We would suggest you to please send an intimation to help@sustain-cert.com whenever you take the exam so that we can review the results and get back to you in the earliest possible time.   

SC endeavors to inform the auditor as soon as the exam is undertaken. We would suggest you to please send an intimation to help@sustain-cert.com whenever you take the exam so that we can review the results and get back to you at the earliest possible time.  

In such a case, the VVB shall assess if at all proactive measures were undertaken by the PDs to reach out to the relevant NGOs for the stakeholder consultation or not. After consideration of the project-specific situation like any ongoing grievances from stakeholders, any major environmental concerns due to the project, etc. the VVB can provide its assessment if additional consultation can be done to reach out to NGOs or if the entire consultation should be repeated.

Yes, the SDG impact tool shall be a part of the VVB assessment.

Yes, another auditor may be a GS-approved auditor, as long as the team that conducts the audit has at least one GS-approved auditor.

As a VVB if during an ongoing verification, you observe that the site visit requirements are not being complied with, please refer to https://globalgoals.goldstandard.org/standards/RU_2021_Applicability-of-minimum-site-visit-requirements-by-VVB.pdf

These requirements are a guide for the VVB to follow in cases of non-compliance.

Site visit requirements section 3.2.1: A physical site visit by VVB is not mandatory at the validation (Design Certification or Design Certification Renewal) of a project. This means that as long as verifications are conducted within the site visit frequency, and the rest of the site visit requirements are adhered to, then no site visit is required for renewal of the crediting period.

As per GS Principles and Requirements 5.1.45 To maintain Gold Standard Certified Project status beyond five years, a Project must undergo Design Certification Renewal. This process shall begin (defined by the submission of a Renewal opinion by a VVB for Design Review to Gold Standard) no later than the last date of the current certification cycle. Note that a review of the Design Certification Renewal may be completed after the last date of the current crediting period. In this case, the renewal date shall be the first day after the end date of the current certification cycle. 5.1.46. Delay in the completion of re-validation beyond the last date of the current certification cycle shall result in a reduction of any issuance of Certified Products and/or Impact Statements available during the following certification cycle (for example, a delay of 1 year beyond the first cycle shall mean that no Certified Impact Statements shall be issued for the period of delay) + Yes, please refer to GS4GG Principles & Requirements 5.1.45 To maintain Gold Standard Certified Project status beyond five years, a Project must undergo Design Certification Renewal. This process shall begin (defined by the submission of a Renewal opinion by a VVB for Design Review to Gold Standard) no later than the last date of the current certification cycle. Note that a review of the Design Certification Renewal may be completed after the last date of the current crediting period. In this case, the renewal date shall be the first day after the end date of the current certification cycle. AND 5.1.46 – Delay in the completion of re-validation beyond the last date of the current certification cycle shall result in a reduction of any issuance of Certified Products and/or Impact Statements available during the following certification cycle (for example, a delay of 1 year beyond the first cycle shall mean that no Certified Impact Statements shall be issued for the period of delay).

Yes, correct.

The risk assessment is actually covered in the Audit Techniques Template which is a mandatory document for all VVBs to submit for all validations/verifications.

As of May 2023, the remote audit option has been extended to PoAs and VPAs as well.

According to the VVB requirements section 7.6.2., an audit team shall collectively have the knowledge relevant to the Gold Standard project activity or PoA to be validated or verified/certified. The local expert is either someone from the audit team that already has host country/regional expertise, or an additional expert who does not necessarily need to be qualified for the specific technical area.

There are no specific GS requirements on the topic, it is up to the VVB to define this, in accordance to any relevant accreditation requirements. Should you have any suggestions on how to regulate this in GS4GG, we would be happy to receive them at help@goldstandard.org and will consider them for implementation.