Design Change

These FAQs refer to the process for Design Change and requirements as detailed in Design Change Requirements

Design Change

When should I apply for a design change? 

Once a project design is certified, it must be implemented as described in the Project Design Document. Any significant, permanent changes or corrections, including of project size, installed capacity, methodology used, crediting period start date, etc. must be submitted for review and re-certification in the form of a formal request for a design change. 

Failure to communicate a change in the project from the certified project design on time and as per the design change requirements may lead to inability to continue issuing credits, or to inability to consider e.g. increased capacity in the project’s certified design.

Note: The procedure for a design change doesn’t apply to temporary deviations. There is a deviation process to support these short-term exemptions from compliance with GS4GG rules and procedures or the certified project design and monitoring plan. 

What is the process for a design change? 

To submit a request for a design change project developers need to follow the requirements outlined in Annex A of the Principles and Requirements. 

The template for submitting a design change is located in the Design Document templates (i.e. PDD | PoA DD | VPA DD). Design changes are submitted to the certification platform. Upon receipt of the formal request for a design change and once payment of the design change fee has been received a review is conducted.  

To initiate a design change, projects must:

1. Complete Annex 4 of the relevant Project Design Document, including justification of the impact of the design change on the project’s additionality, eligibility, safeguards, and estimated impact.
2. Conduct a stakeholder consultation, if necessary
3. Update the Project Design Document
4. Identify, contract and pay VVB to carry out validation - Find an approved VVB
5. Pay the Design Change Review Fee. See full Gold Standard fee schedule for more details.

For the review the following documentation must be submitted: 

• A VVB-approved Design Change Request Form
• An updated Project Design Document (PDD)
• Updated SDG Tool
• All relevant supporting documentation
• A final Validation Report

Depending on the complexity of the design change and its implications on eligibility, safeguards, additionality, impact, or stakeholders, the review may take on average between 3 and 9 months.