Become a Service Provider

There is growing demand for GHG verification services. In an effort to help streamline application processes, the California Registry intends to recognize new GHG verifiers for entity reporting approved by either The Climate Registry (TCR) and/or the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Thus, the California Registry does not expect to a request for new verifier applications this year.

Firms seeking accreditation status under The Climate Registry (TCR) must be ISO 14065 approved (international standard for accrediting GHG inventory verifiers) and meet program-specific requirements defined by TCR. To achieve this, firms may now participate in a pilot accreditation program offered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based on the ISO 14065 standard. ANSI is accepting applications through May 15, 2008. To request an application, firms should follow ANSI's instructions posted online at: www.ansi.org/ghg. Once the pilot phase is completed, ANSI will accept new applications for accreditation on a rolling basis. More information is available from ANSI.

The California Air Resources Board is also developing its accreditation requirements, and expects to have new verifiers accredited in 2008. For more information, please subscribe to ARB's mailing list for GHG verification at http://www.arb.ca.gov/listserv/listserv.php.  

Firms seeking accreditation status as a project verifier for the California Registry's Climate Action Reserve should also seek ISO 14065 accreditation status and meet program-specific requirements defined by the California Registry. Participating in ANSI's pilot program should also meet these requirements.

Further updates on the accreditation process for new California Registry and TCR verifiers will continue to be provided as they are available.

Verifiers:

To become an approved verifier with the California Registry, firms must successfully complete a two-part approval process and California Registry-hosted training on the reporting and verification protocols.

Generally, verifier applications are evaluated as to the applicant’s knowledge and experience with engineering principles, GHG emissions estimation techniques, evaluating air emissions inventories, auditing and accounting principles, as well as an understanding of the California Registry and its reporting requirements.

Step 1: Obtain State Approval. Firms must first receive State of California approval by responding to a State-issued Request for Applications (RFA) for Third-Party Verifiers.

In the course of implementing AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the State may consider issuing another RFA for new verifiers. At this point there is no timeline for this activity. To receive notice of new developments, please subscribe to the California Registry's mailing list. Interested parties can view updates on implementation of AB 32 at www.climatechange.ca.gov.

The State last released a Request for Applications in October 2005. To learn more about the approval process to date, contact Pierre duVair of the California Energy Commission at (916) 653-8685 or visit http://www.energy.ca.gov/

Step 2: Obtain California Registry Approval. Successful applicants receive State-approval as a verifier, and are invited to apply for California Registry approval as a verifier. To obtain California Registry approval, firms must respond to a Request for Supplemental Information (RFI) issued by the California Registry.

The California Registry issued a Request for Supplemental Information and RFI Forms A-C in January 2006 and announced successful applicants in March 2006. The complete list of verifiers is available at www.climateregistry.org/SERVICEPROVIDERS. The California Registry will hold its next approval round following the next state approval process, which at this point has not been scheduled. To receive notice of new developments, please subscribe to the California Registry's mailing list.

Step 3: Complete Lead Verifier Training. As a last step in obtaining California Registry approval, firms must complete training on the California Registry's program and protocols. The California Registry will hold training sessions as often as twice each year: once in conjunction with the California Registry's annual conference in the Spring and a second session in late Summer, based on demand. Only individuals from accredited firms are eligible to participate in these sessions.

Only firms that obtain both State- and California Registry-approval and complete training as verifiers are qualified to provide verification services.

Before signing a contract with an individual California Registry participant, verifiers must also follow the California Registry's policies & process to determine the potential for a conflict of interest.

Conflict of Interest Code

Technical Assistance Providers:

To become an approved Technical Assistance Provider (TA), your firm must respond to an RFA for Technical Assistance Providers, also issued by the California Energy Commission. Successful companies demonstrate qualifications in at least one of the following technical areas: knowledge and experience with engineering principles, GHG emissions estimation techniques, creating and/or evaluating air emissions inventories, auditing and accounting principles, and also demonstrate an understanding of the California Registry and its reporting requirements.

While California Registry participants are required to use only approved verifiers, they are not limited to using the services of approved TAs. However, there are several benefits to becoming an approved TA. Contact information of approved TAs is listed on the California Registry’s website and is provided to new members on joining the California Registry. Approved TAs are invited to members-only California Registry events where they have the opportunity to network with members, and are also invited to respond to RFPs and RFQs released by the California Registry.

The next RFA for TAs may be issued by the State of California in 2008. To receive notification of its release, please subscribe to the California Registry's mailing list.

If you have additional questions, please contact Member Services at (213) 891-1444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .