Validation and verification activities
Validation and verification process
A2V Carbon offers validation and verification activities of information related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as an independent third party, according to documented and structured processes.
These activities are carried out in compliance with the requirements applicable to validation and verification bodies, particularly those defined by international reference standards and practices expected in the context of accreditation processes.
The objective of these activities is to assess the compliance, consistency, and reliability of the information examined, and to formulate conclusions based on appropriate evidence.
References and framework for conducting activities
The objective of these activities is to assess the compliance, consistency, and reliability of the information examined, and to formulate conclusions based on appropriate evidence.
Team Competence Requirements:
Relevant Applicable Frameworks:
Recognized regulatory or voluntary programs, when relevant to the activities being evaluated.
These references constitute frameworks used to structure the methodological approaches and practices implemented in the context of the activities offered.
Regulatory & voluntary programs
Validation and verification activities may, where applicable, be carried out within the framework of applicable regulatory or voluntary programs, according to the requirements of the relevant standard.
Canadian regulatory frameworks (federal and provincial)
Emissions reporting programs
Carbon compliance mechanisms
Clean fuel frameworks
Voluntary frameworks and international carbon markets
Carbon credit programs, when relevant
Frameworks for emission reduction or avoidance projects, according to applicable standards
Consideration of these frameworks depends on the scope of assignments carried out and applicable requirements.
Validation activities
Validation activities
Validation consists of evaluating, before their implementation or use, information, methods, assumptions, or projects related to greenhouse gas emissions.
This activity aims to assess whether the elements examined:
- comply with applicable requirements
- are based on consistent and documented assumptions
- are sufficiently robust to allow implementation in accordance with the selected reference framework
Validation activities focus particularly on:
- critical review of the information provided
- analysis of assumptions, methodologies, and structural choices
- overall consistency between declared objectives, means implemented, and expected results
Verification activities
Verification consists of evaluating, after the period concerned, data and declarations related to greenhouse gas emissions already produced.
This activity aims to assess whether the declared information:
- are considered accurate and complete
- is consistent with the data and methods used
- is based on traceable and verifiable factual elements
Verification activities are based particularly on:
- analysis of historical data
- examination of data collection and processing systems
- review of documents and evidence provided
- and, where applicable, conducting additional controls
Sectors and scopes covered
Validation and verification activities may apply to different types of organizations, projects, and emission scopes, according to the requirements of the applicable reference framework.
Organizational level
- GHG emissions declarations
- organizational inventories
Project level
- emissions reduction or avoidance projects
- carbon sequestration or capture projects
Emissions scopes
- direct emissions
- indirect emissions related to energy
- other relevant indirect emissions according to the applicable reference framework
Validation and verification process
Validation and verification activities are carried out according to documented, structured, and reproducible processes, aimed at ensuring the impartiality, consistency, and traceability of work.
These processes include the following steps in particular:
Admissibility analysis and request scoping
Analysis of the request’s alignment with A2V Carbon’s scope of intervention, identification of the applicable reference framework and requirements to be considered.
01
Work planning
Definition of the evaluation scope, required competencies, necessary resources, and implementation methods, in accordance with applicable requirements.
02
Execution of evaluation work
Examination of information, data, and documents provided, assessment of their consistency with applicable requirements, and collection of evidence necessary for the evaluation.
03
Independent review
Critical review of evaluation work by a person separate from the evaluator, aimed at ensuring the quality, consistency, and objectivity of the conclusions formulated.
04
Internal decision and opinion issuance
Decision-making based on the results of the evaluation and independent review, leading to the issuance of a validation or verification opinion
05
Impartiality and quality guarantees
The entire process is implemented in accordance with the principles of independence, impartiality, and competence.
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and separated to prevent any situation that could compromise the objectivity of opinions issued.
Validation and verification activities are documented to ensure the traceability of evaluations and decisions made.
Activity results
Validation and verification activities conducted by A2V Carbon may result in the issuance of formal opinions, based on appropriate evidence and issued at the end of the process described above
These opinions reflect the evaluation carried out with regard to applicable requirements and elements evaluated, without prejudging subsequent decisions or actions of the parties concerned.