Validation & Verification Body Accreditation

ISO/IEC 17029:2019

ISO/IEC 17029:2019 Conformity assessment – General requirements for verification and validation bodies was published in October 2019 and contains general principles and requirements for the impartial, competent and consistent provision of validation and verification activities by validation and verification bodies in any sector. The standard is used in conjunction with sector-specific programmes and schemes that contain requirements for validation and verification processes and procedures. This core standard operates as a framework for all types of validation and verification in a wider range of conformity assessments.

All validation and verification bodies that are currently accredited to ISO 14065 for greenhouse gas assertions, will be required to transition to ISO/IEC 17029 by 30^th June 2024.

ISO 14065:2013 Greenhouse gases – Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme was established by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 SI 1265 in January 2020.  Annual emissions reports must be verified by an organisation accredited to ISO 14065.

Until the completion of the transition to ISO/IEC 17029:2019, as described above, existing accreditation programmes under ISO 14065:2013 will continue until 30^th June 2024. These include:

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (e.g., according to ISO 14064-3)
• The Forestry Commission Woodland Carbon Code. Validation and verification bodies can also be accredited for the Woodland Carbon Code forestry sequestration scheme.
• The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) scheme (a voluntary scheme for accredited verification of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector.
• ISO/14065:2020 General principles and requirements for bodies validating and verifying environmental information. The scope of the standard has been expanded in this version from greenhouse gas validation and verification to encompass environmental information statements which can include claims relating to for example environmental footprints and reporting.

PAS 2060

Verification bodies seeking accreditation under ISO 14065:2013 Greenhouse gases – Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies, and to PAS 2060:2014 Specification for the demonstration of carbon neutrality activities may now apply, following a successful pilot accreditation programme.

Under this standard any residual GHG emissions that cannot be further reduced must be credibly offset via reliable and recognisable schemes (such as reforestation).

PAS 2050

• This carbon measurement verification scheme allows accredited verification of the assessment cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services.

Electricity Capacity Market – Verification of fossil fuel emissions declarations

The government established the Capacity Market (CM) as part of its Electricity Market Reform policy in 2014 in respect of Fossil Fuel Components. The purpose of the CM is to ensure security of electricity supply by providing all forms of capacity capable of contributing to security of supply with the right incentives to be on the system and to deliver electricity when needed. The CM secures the capacity required to meet peak demand in a range of scenarios through auctions at defined periods ahead of delivery.  The CM is governed by the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 and the Capacity Market Rules which were updated in 2023 and include emissions limits to the Capacity Market.

All CM applicants seeking to prequalify Fossil Fuel Components for entry into Capacity Auctions are required to demonstrate that these Components comply with the Emissions Limits.

Working with government, UKAS have accredited several Verification Bodies under ISO 14065: 2013 Greenhouse gases — Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition) who will undertake verification Fossil Fuel Emissions Declarations under the Capacity Market Rules.