Validation and Verification Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

Validation and verification are essential to ensuring the credibility, accuracy, and integrity of carbon removal claims reported under the Teravent Standard. These processes confirm that every reported tonne of carbon removal corresponds to a real, measurable removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

To uphold the highest levels of transparency, reliability, and trust in Teravent’s carbon removal protocols, this document establishes the comprehensive requirements that Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) must satisfy to be approved and retained as qualified auditors authorized to perform validation and verification activities under the Teravent Standard.

This Policy builds upon the requirements set forth in Teravent’s Standard and provides detailed guidance for VVB eligibility, operations, and oversight.

Key definitions relevant to this Policy include:

• Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs): Independent, third-party auditing organizations with sector-specific expertise, approved by Teravent to assess whether a project complies with all rules, protocols, and requirements of the Teravent Standard. A VVB must receive Teravent approval prior to performing validation or verification activities.
• Validation: A structured and independent evaluation of a project’s assumptions, methods, and limitations to confirm whether the project aligns with the Teravent Standard and applicable Protocol. Validation must be conducted by an approved third-party VVB.
• Verification: A process to assess and confirm the net carbon removals achieved by a project, based on collected data and documentation, and to ensure compliance with the Teravent Standard and relevant Protocol. Verification must be conducted by a Teravent-approved third-party VVB.

2. Accreditation

To obtain and maintain approval, each VVB must demonstrate valid accreditation that satisfies Teravent requirements. Accreditation may include:

• Recognition by a member of the International Accreditation Forum against ISO 14065, or other relevant ISO standards such as ISO 14034.
• Accreditation granted by a competent governmental or intergovernmental regulatory authority.
• Demonstrated compliance with all verification competencies specified by Teravent Protocols, in line with ISO 19011, ISO 27001, SOC 2 or other relevant auditing guidance.

Accreditation must remain valid throughout the entire validation or verification process, including the submission of the final audit report. Teravent will routinely verify the accreditation status of all approved VVBs.

Where accreditation is issued by a governmental or intergovernmental body outside the International Accreditation Forum, the VVB must demonstrate compliance with all Teravent-required competencies and verification standards.

3. Auditor Competencies and Requirements

All VVBs conducting validation or verification under the Teravent Standard must demonstrate extensive technical expertise and sectoral competence in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and carbon removal methodologies. Requirements include:

• Audit Team Composition: Every audit team must include at least a team leader and a separate validator or verifier. Validation and verification cannot be performed by a single individual, ensuring dual control and independence.
• Technical Expertise: Teams must have comprehensive knowledge of Teravent rules, standards, and all relevant documentation for the specific carbon removal pathway being audited.
• Sectoral Competence: VVBs must provide evidence of experience in the sectoral context of the project’s carbon removal activities, as detailed in the VVB Application Template.
• Personnel Records: VVBs must submit detailed records for all auditors involved, including curricula vitae outlining education, qualifications, and relevant work experience.
• Onboarding and Familiarization: All VVBs are required to complete Teravent’s onboarding program to ensure thorough understanding of the Teravent Standard, applicable Protocols, and auditing procedures.
• Appeals and Complaints Process: Each VVB must maintain a documented, publicly accessible process for handling appeals and complaints, including assessment, investigation, decision-making, and implementation of corrective or preventive actions.

4. Approval Process

Before a VVB can conduct validation or verification of a Teravent project, it must receive formal approval. The approval process includes:

• Submission: The VVB submits a completed Teravent VVB Application Template.
• Review and Completeness Check: Teravent reviews the application for completeness and alignment with all policy requirements. Any missing or incomplete information will be requested from the applicant.
• Final Decision: Teravent communicates its decision to approve or reject the VVB.

Teravent maintains a publicly accessible list of all approved VVBs on its website to ensure transparency and accountability.

5. Oversight

Teravent actively oversees all VVB activities to ensure consistent quality and adherence to standards:

• Supervision of VVB Activities: Teravent monitors VVB performance throughout the validation and verification processes. Approval may be suspended if performance deficiencies are detected. Periodic reviews ensure continued compliance with Teravent requirements.
• Quality Review of Reports: All audit reports undergo Teravent’s internal quality review before credit issuance. Any deficiencies or inconsistencies must be addressed by the VVB before the report is accepted. Credits are issued only when reports meet Teravent’s standards.
• Reporting to Accreditation Bodies: Significant or repeated VVB performance issues are reported to the relevant accreditation or regulatory body.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Maintaining VVB independence is essential. Measures include:

• Restriction on Involved Entities: Any organization involved in developing a project or compensated for protocol assistance may not act as a VVB for the same project.
• Declaration of Conflicts: VVBs must declare potential conflicts during application. Teravent evaluates conflicts and, if necessary, appoints alternate VVBs.
• Project-Specific Declaration: Prior to project engagement, VVBs confirm their impartiality and absence of financial or fiduciary conflicts with the project or Teravent.
• Remedial Action: If conflicts arise after contract execution, Teravent may require replacements, suspend the VVB, or reassign the project.
• Rotation Requirement: A VVB may not audit the same project for more than five consecutive years and may perform verification for a project in no more than five out of seven consecutive years.

7. Reporting Requirements

Before commencing validation or verification, the VVB prepares a detailed Validation or Verification Plan, including activities and schedule, aligned with Teravent standards.

Upon completion, the VVB submits:

• A concise statement specifying the project vintage, applicable Protocol, and quantity of carbon removals.
• A comprehensive audit report detailing material and immaterial findings, prepared according to Teravent guidance.

Validation and verification statements and reports are made publicly available on Teravent’s website, with redactions applied only to commercially sensitive or confidential information.