Gold Standard Learning Platform

Modified on Thu, 12 Mar at 12:59 PM

These FAQs refer to the Gold Standard Learning Platform which holds training materials for Gold Standard approved Validation and Verification Bodies

Quick Links:
- Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge
- Learning Platform Login Page

About the Gold Standard Learning Platform

What is the Gold Standard Learning Platform?

VVB Managers: Managing Staff on the Learning Platform

What is the difference between a VVB manager job role and VVB manager user rights?
I have managing rights on the learning platform, how can I add new auditors?
How can I add a new (non-auditor) VVB staff member?
I want to add a new auditor who is a freelance and is approved as GS auditor with other VVBs. Will this auditor be automatically approved for my VVB?
What is the meaning of the job roles assigned to my staff on the Learning platform?
My staff member was assigned the wrong job role, how do I update this?
How do I know if my staff member has been approved as GS auditor?
A GS approved auditor (e.g. scope Energy and waste) in my team has passed the exam (e.g. scope LUF and Agriculture) on the Learning platform to qualify for a new scope. Will this auditor be automatically approved for the new scope after passing the exam?
How can I remove a GS-approved auditor or contact?

Auditors/ VVB Staff: Accessing the Learning Platform

How can I get access to the Gold Standard Learning Platform?
I am a GS-approved auditor and I have not received my invitation email to activate my account on the Gold Standard Learning Platform.
What is my username for the Gold Standard Learning Platform?
How can I view or change my profile information?
How can I change the email address associated to my Learning Platform account?
How do I change my password for the Learning Platform?
I forgot my password for the Learning Platform. How can I retrieve it?
What is the two-step verification and how does it work?
How can I delete my account?

Using the learning Platform: Courses, Exams, Webinars and Auditor Information.

Where can I find guidance on how to use the Learning platform?
How can I access courses?
How many attempts do I have per exam?
Where can I see my certificates?
How long is my certificate valid for?
How can I join webinars?
Why do I see two different Auditor exams for the same scope (Energy and Waste or LUF and Agriculture) in my Achievements?
Why do I see my qualifications (technical areas / competences) in the Achievements tab, and why can't I download a certificate?
Why can't I update information on my profile?

About the Gold Standard Learning Platform

What is the Gold Standard Learning Platform?

The Gold Standard Learning Platform is the central hub for all Gold Standard training, examinations, and learning resources.

This platform is exclusively available to Gold Standard–approved Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs), those VVBs actively applying for approval, and their staff and auditors.

As of November 2025, all new training materials and webinar recordings are available on the Learning platform.

Previous recordings can still be accessed on the VVB Trainings and Exams page, until the material is migrated to the Learning Platform.

VVB Managers: Managing Staff on the Learning Platform

What is the difference between a VVB manager job role and VVB manager user rights?

On the Learning platform, job roles are a way for Gold Standard to distinguish VVB staff (a GS-approved auditor, a not yet approved auditor, or a VVB manager).

The job roles should not be confused with the VVB manager user rights, that are given to selected VVB managers to view Teams information. More information can be found on the VVB course shared by email. This will be uploaded to the learning platform shortly.

I have managing rights on the learning platform, how can I add new auditors?

To add new auditors, VVB managers shall send a request to Gold Standard at vvb@goldstandard.org and share the Auditor competence file with the CV and supporting documents.

The auditor will receive login credentials and access to the Gold Standard Learning Platform, where all required examinations and training modules are available.

Once approved, the new auditor will be added to the VVB webpage and team on the Learning Platform.

To receive access to other GS applications (Assurance platform, SDG Impact tool), please submit this form: GS Apps account request.

How can I add a new (non-auditor) VVB staff member?

VVBs may grant access to the learning platform to technical managers, quality managers, and other admin staff.

The VVB Manager shall send the template Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge to vvb@goldstandard.org.

In the template, only fill out their name, surname, email address and role if the person is not acting as an auditor.

I want to add a new auditor who is a freelance and is approved as GS auditor with other VVBs. Will this auditor be automatically approved for my VVB?

When adding a new auditor who works for several VVBs, a GS approved auditor status on the Learning platform does not mean that the person is automatically approved under your VVB.

To add this auditor to your team, please follow these steps:

Update the Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge template

Add the new auditor’s details in a new row and complete all fields.

Email the following information to vvb@goldstandard.org:

Your request to add a new auditor,
- Attach the updated Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge sheet.

What is the meaning of the job roles assigned to my staff on the Learning platform?

In the following table you can see what each job role means:

Job Role	Description
Auditor for Energy and Waste	User is not approved as GS auditor yet and needs to take the GS Examination for the applicable scope.
Auditor for Energy and Waste, Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
Auditor for Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
GS Approved Auditor for Energy and Waste	User is approved as GS auditor for the scope indicated and has a valid GS exam (named Legacy exam or Auditor examination on the platform).
GS Approved Auditor for Energy and Waste, Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
GS Approved Auditor for Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
PAA Approved Auditor for Energy and Waste	User is a GS approved auditor and has completed the Paris Agreement alignment learning path and exam. This staff member can conduct PA-aligned validations and verifications.
PAA Approved Auditor for Energy and Waste, Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
PAA Approved Auditor for Land-use and Forestry/Agriculture
VVB Manager	User is only a Manager and not an auditor in the VVB team. If the person both a Manager and GS approved auditor, the assigned job role will be GS approved Auditor instead. The VVB manager job role is separate from the VVB manager user rights. VVB Managers are not automatically assigned these rights.

My staff member was assigned the wrong job role, how do I update this?

If a staff member was assigned the wrong job role, please inform us at vvb@goldstandard.org and we will update the information.

How do I know if my staff member has been approved as GS auditor?

Auditors are only approved once this is confirmed via email by Gold Standard and their name appears on the Gold Standard website: Validation and Verification Bodies.

If you see discrepancies or have any questions, please reach out at vvb@goldstandard.org.

A GS approved auditor (e.g. scope Energy and waste) in my team has passed the exam (e.g. scope LUF and Agriculture) on the Learning platform to qualify for a new scope. Will this auditor be automatically approved for the new scope after passing the exam?

No, auditors are approved per VVB based on the scope (Energy and Waste, LUF and Agriculture) communicated by the VVB manager in the Auditor competence file. Passing an exam on the Learning platform does not mean they are automatically approved for that scope.

For the scope approval, the VVB manager shall:

Update the information about the existing auditor on the Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge template, visibly marking the additions/changes.
Email the following information to vvb@goldstandard.org:

Your request to approve the auditor for a new scope,
Attach the updated Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge sheet,
Attach the CV of the auditor,
Attach copies of relevant certificates or evidence of completed training to support the competences assigned by the VVB.

The Gold Standard team will review the documentation and update the auditor's information on the Learning Platform. Once the scope addition is approved, this is officially communicated via email by Gold Standard. Gold Standard will also send back the updated Auditor competence file with the latest feedback.

How can I remove a GS-approved auditor or contact?

The VVB is responsible to inform Gold Standard of any changes to staff related to Gold Standard accounts. To request the removal of an auditor or contact, the VVB Manager shall send an email to vvb@goldstandard.org with the request to remove an auditor.

Provide name, surname and email address.

The user will be removed from the VVB Team on the Learning platform and, if applicable, from any other GS digital application (Assurance platform, SDG Impact tool).

Auditors/ VVB Staff: Accessing the Learning Platform

How can I get access to the Gold Standard Learning Platform?

Auditors who are registered with Gold Standard are automatically added to the Learning Platform.

If you have not yet been approved by Gold Standard please approach your VVB manager to register you with Gold Standard. The VVB manager will send the request via Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge to vvb@goldstandard.org.

Once you have been approved and registered with Gold Standard, you will receive your log-in details for the Learning Platform. These are sent by email from system@litmos.com

I am a GS-approved auditor and I have not received my invitation email to activate my account on the Gold Standard Learning Platform.

There could be different reasons why you have not received your email yet:

The email landed in your spam folder. Please check for emails from system@litmos.com
You have received the email on a different email address. Please check other email inboxes you own for emails from system@litmos.com .
The email address provided by your VVB manager and associated with your account is incorrect.

If you have not received the email, please reach out at help@goldstandard.org and we will be happy to support you.

What is my username for the Gold Standard Learning Platform?

Your username is the same as the email address where you have received the invite to activate your account on the Learning Platform.

If you forgot your username, please send an email to help@goldstandard.org and we will help you to retrieve your account

How can I view or change my profile information?

On the homepage, click on your name located at the top right corner.

Select ‘My Profile & Settings’ to view your profile information. If any changes are required, these must be submitted to Gold Standard by the VVB Manager - see How can I update information related to a GS-approved auditor?

How can I change the email address associated to my Learning Platform account?

To update your email address associated to your Learning platform account, please send an email to help@goldstandard.org.

How do I change my password for the Learning Platform?

On the homepage, click on your name located at the top right corner.

Select ‘My Profile & Settings’.
Under personal information, hover on ‘Change Password’ and click this to open a new window.
Enter your current password and set your new password.
Click Save.

I forgot my password for the Learning Platform. How can I retrieve it?

You can reset your password on the Learning platform's log-in page: https://learn.goldstandard.org/account/Login

Click on ‘I have forgotten my username/password'.
Enter your email address associated with your Gold Standard Learning platform account to receive a password reset link, and click on the button ‘Continue'.
You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions and create a new password.
If you don't remember your username, feel free to reach out at help@goldstandard.org.

What is the two-step verification and how does it work?

Two-step verification via email adds an extra layer of security by requiring both your password and a one-time code sent to your email. This ensures that even if someone knows your password, they can’t access your account without also having access to your email.

Two-step verification is prompted every 14 days when accessing the Learning Platform, or whenever you switch web browsers. Before being granted access to the platform, you will be prompted to enter the verification code sent to your email.

How can I delete my account?

If you wish to delete your Learning platform account, please send an email to help@goldstandard.org with the information about your account and reason for deletion, so we can support you better.

Using the learning Platform: Courses, Exams, Webinars and Auditor Information.

Where can I find guidance on how to use the Learning platform?

You can find the recording of the webinar and platform demo in your account on the GS Learning platform. This is available in this course: Introducing the new Gold Standard Learning Platform for VVBs.

How can I access courses?

Log-in to your account in the Gold Standard Learning platform.
Navigate to ‘Learning Library’.
Here you will find a list of available courses displayed.
Click on a course to enrol or start it right away.

How many attempts do I have per exam?

Each exam currently allows one attempt per 24 hours.

Where can I see my certificates?

Navigate to the ‘Achievements’ page on the Navigation Menu.

Here you will find a list of your completed courses, where a Download Certificate button will be available for each completed course.

How long is my certificate valid for?

You can check the validity period on the ‘Achievements’ page.

For courses or exams with an expiration date, the certificate will indicate “Compliant until Date”.

How can I join webinars?

Navigate to Learning Library. Select the webinar course you wish to attend and enroll in the course.
After enrollment, you will be redirected to the homepage. Under My Training, locate the webinar under ‘Not Started’ and click to open it.
Click ‘Start this Course’.
You will be directed to a page displaying details of the available live sessions. Click on ‘Register’ to sign up for your preferred session.
Check your email inbox for a confirmation message containing the webinar details and a link to join the session.
Add the invite to your calendar.
You can also view your registered sessions on your homepage under the Registered Sessions widget, or by navigating to ‘Live Sessions’ in the Navigation Menu.

Why do I see two different Auditor exams for the same scope (Energy and Waste or LUF and Agriculture) in my Achievements?

Please find below information on each exam and what they represent:

Exam	Legacy Auditor Exam: Energy and Waste and Legacy Auditor Exam: Land-Use and Forestry	Auditor examination: Energy and Waste and Auditor examination: LUF and Agriculture’.
Platform	Taken on SustainCERT Academy or via Gold Standard (Pre-Nov 2025).	Taken directly on the GS Learning Platform (Post-Nov 2025).
Purpose	Imported for your records to show historical compliance. It serves as a reminder to take the new exam prior to expiration. It is not used to renew the exam. Renewal is done via these links: Auditor examination: Energy and Waste / Auditor examination: LUF and Agriculture’.	The current exam for maintaining GS-approved status.
Validity	Valid for 3 years from passing date.	Valid for 1 year from passing date.

Why do I see my qualifications (technical areas / competences) in the Achievements tab, and why can't I download a certificate?

Competences such as Technical areas (TA) and gender, financial or environmental and socio-economic expertise are assigned by VVB mangers to auditors during the approval process, and are communicated to Gold Standard via the Auditor competence and technical knowledge file.

In our aim to digitize auditor's information as much as possible, we have imported these competences and expertise on the Gold Standard learning platform for information.

In the picture below, this auditor has been assigned Technical areas 1.2 and 13.1, as well as expertise on Environmental and socio-economic matters.

These are competences acquired by the auditors outside of Gold Standard and are not to be confused with Auditor exams. For this reason, a certificate is not available. The fields ‘Course completed’ and ‘Date’ are dummy data that can be ignored.

Auditors are required to take the Gold Standard exam to receive and keep the status of GS-approved auditors:

Why can't I update information on my profile?

The reason why you are unable to change your profile information is because we are managing auditor information outside of the Learning platform. Unfortunately, the platform does not allow us to select which fields can be editable by learners.

For major changes to your profile, such as your role, competences, years of experience, technical areas, languages and countries, and edits to the VVB entity you work with, we require a formal change request via email by submitting an updated Auditor Competence & Technical Knowledge file. This should be done by the VVB manager.

For other minor changes such as the addition of your website or contact information such as phone numbers, feel free to send us an email and we can assist you with adding them to your profile.

For remaining questions, please contact us at help@goldstandard.org.