How does my organisation become a Gold Standard-approved VVB?

Validation/Verification Bodies seeking approval to conduct validations and verifications for projects and programmes under Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) and earlier versions of Gold Standard, need to:

• Follow the Validation/Verification Body Requirements, and ensure 
  • The VVB is accredited for all the scopes/certification pathways it is applying to under GS4GG through an accreditation body recognised by Gold Standard.
  • The VVB’s quality management system reflects the Gold Standard VVB requirements and Validation and Verification Standard.
• Provide a completed

1. VVB application,
2. signed Terms and Conditions,
3. Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge,
4. VVB Quality Management System In-Depth Review Checklist,
5. and any relevant documentation to Gold Standard at vvb@goldstandard.org. 

• Ensure the competence of the VVB’s auditors in GS4GG. Please see this Study Guide for a list of the key documents.
• Within 4 weeks of submission of the application, each auditor listed in the application form needs to complete the VVB online exam.
• Pay an application fee as per the VVB Fee Schedule.
• Respond to all findings of the application review process.

After submission of the application, GS will review the provided documentation and assess the compliance with GS VVB requirements.

Any findings will be raised as corrective action requests (CARs), clarification requests, or forward action requests (FARs). Once the main findings are closed, the application will be sent to the relevant Technical Advisory Committee(s) for a 3-week review process.

On average, the application process takes between 3 and 6 months.