Validation and verification bodies
Validation and verification bodies approved by the FOEN independently assess offsetting projects as specified in the CO2 Act and the associated CO2 Ordinance.
This page provides information required by validation and verification bodies (VVBs) of offsetting projects in Switzerland and abroad.
1. What is the VVB’s role?
Emission reduction projects must be assessed by an FOEN-approved VVB. The costs are borne by the project applicant. A VVB validates the project description and verifies the project monitoring report – for a given project/programme, there must be a different VVB in each case. VVBs must be independent. The Compensation Office reviews the verified monitoring report based on the validated project description and decides whether to issue attestations.
The VVB is responsible for submitting the application and monitoring documents via the CORE information and documentation system.
The following documents must be submitted:
- project description / monitoring report
- Excel spreadsheet for calculating emission reductions
- validation / verification report and
- where applicable, redacted versions of the above-mentioned documents for publication on the FOEN website
- where applicable, other documents (MAS, receipts, supporting documents, etc.).
With no postal version, the submission date confirmed in CORE applies.
2. As the VVB, how do I prepare to validate a project/verify a monitoring report?
The enforcement aid entitled ‘Offsetting CO2 emissions: validation and verification’ describes the practices of the Compensation Office. It provides guidelines on best practices for validation and verification bodies, defines the approbation and (re-)approbation requirements and describes the feedback process of the Compensation Office to the VVB for quality improvement of their activities and the withdrawal procedure of VVB’s approval.
The enforcement aid entitled ‘Offsetting CO2 emissions: projects and programmes’ relating to the CO2 Ordinance provides guidelines on developing offsetting projects that meet the Swiss legal requirements.
3. What templates are available to me as the VVB?
4. What legislation applies and what else do I need to consider?
Applicable legislation:
Fedlex: CO2 Ordinance (esp. Articles 6 and 7) (available in German, French or Italian)
Subscribe to the ‘Offsetting CO2 emissions’ newsletter
Further information:
The processes of the Compensation Office for projects abroad, from the submission of applications to the issuing of international attestations, as well as various requirements for specific measures abroad are described in more detail in the following document.
VVB reports – Compensation Office evaluation (only available in german):
5. How can I be approved as a VVB?
To be approved as a VVB or to register new staff, contact the FOEN.
Complete one of the following forms as appropriate:
Approval is granted for a given project. The requirements to be met by the VVBs are explained in the registration form. Once approval has been granted, the VVB is given a brief introduction to the main requirements and available aids.
6. Which validation and verification bodies are approved?
Projects in Switzerland:
Projects abroad:
7. Where do I find the latest information on conducting an offsetting project?
The ‘Offsetting CO2 emissions’ newsletter informs project applicants, VVBs, entities subject to the offsetting obligation and other stakeholders about important developments, decisions, innovations and publications regarding carbon emissions offsetting in Switzerland and abroad.
Subscribe to the ‘Offsetting CO2 emissions’ newsletter
Partner countries
In order to achieve part of its climate target, Switzerland can implement offsetting projects abroad. To this end, Switzerland has concluded bilateral agreements with a number of partner countries in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. The Compensation Office, which is run jointly by the Federal Office for the Environment and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, is responsible for implementing these agreements.
Applicants
Below you will find an overview of the legal requirements and conditions for submitting applications to the Compensation Office for offsetting projects in Switzerland and abroad.