How does my project proceed if the Validation and Verification Body (VVB) cannot conduct a site visit?

How does my project proceed if the Validation and Verification Body (VVB) cannot conduct a site visit?

The Validation and Verification Bodies & SustainCERT may apply the following interim measures in cases where on-site inspections cannot reasonably be performed due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions. 

 

Alternative Measures relating to mandatory on-site visits for VVBs audits include: 

  • A VVB may postpone site visits for on-site inspections, taking into account the rules of relevant national and local authorities (local to the VVB offices as well as to locality of the site visits), World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, policies of the VVB (if any) and other relevant travel restrictions and guidance (for example, a requirement to self-isolate upon return from specific countries). 

If the site visit cannot be postponed due to significant impact of delaying the site visit on VVB and/or project developer due to timeline/commitment as per validation/verification or Gold Standard Verified Emission Reductions (GS-VERs) delivery agreement, VVB may replace mandatory on-site visits with remote audits. The audit may include but not be limited to validation, verification, the inclusion of Voluntary Project Activities (VPAs), design change review, etc.