Carbon Footprint Validation & Verification
Carbon Footprint Validation & Verification
CRCF Certification – Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming
Independent assessment of carbon removals and carbon farming activities
With Regulation (EU) 2024/3012, the European Union has established a voluntary framework for the certification of permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, soil emission reductions and carbon storage in products. The Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) framework sets common requirements for quality, transparency and independent conformity assessment for operators and other organizations involved in carbon removal or carbon farming activities.
- Independent assessment
Independent and impartial assessment of the activity against the applicable CRCF requirements and certification methodology. - Transparency and traceability
Structured assessment of quantification, monitoring, data quality and documentation. - Basis for market participation and commercialization
Successful certification provides the basis for the issuance of certified units and their potential commercialization within the CRCF framework. - Credibility and comparability
Common European requirements support consistent, transparent and comparable assessment of certified activities.
Clear roles in the CRCF certification process
The CRCF framework clearly distinguishes between the roles of recognized certification schemes, operators or groups of operators, and independent certification bodies. Certification schemes recognized by the European Commission provide the relevant rules, procedures, governance and registry structures. Operators or groups of operators participate in a recognized certification scheme and provide the information and supporting evidence required for certification of the relevant activity. Independent certification bodies then assess whether the activity complies with the applicable CRCF requirements and the relevant certification methodology. DEKRA Certification is currently preparing the technical and organizational requirements for potential future certification activities within this European framework.
The new EU framework distinguishes between several categories of eligible activities:
- permanent carbon removals
- carbon farming
- soil emission reductions
- carbon storage in products
Depending on the applicable EU certification methodology, eligible activities may include, for example, agriculture and agroforestry, rewetting of peatlands, afforestation or carbon storage in products.
Certification takes place within a certification scheme recognized by the European Commission. The specific activities eligible for certification are determined by the CRCF Regulation and the applicable certification methodology.
The CRCF framework is based on the interaction between certification schemes recognized by the European Commission, operators or groups of operators, and independent certification bodies.
Recognized certification scheme:
Certification schemes may apply to the European Commission for recognition for one or more CRCF certification methodologies. Recognized schemes provide the organizational framework for certification, including procedures, governance arrangements and registry structures.
Certification schemes may apply to the European Commission for recognition for one or more CRCF certification methodologies. Recognized schemes provide the organizational framework for certification, including procedures, governance arrangements and registry structures.
Operator / group of operators:
The operator or group of operators participates in a recognized certification scheme and provides the information and supporting evidence required for certification of the activity.
The operator or group of operators participates in a recognized certification scheme and provides the information and supporting evidence required for certification of the activity.
Certification audit (validation):
An independent certification body assesses whether the activity complies with the applicable CRCF requirements and certification methodology and whether the expected net carbon removal benefit or net soil emission reduction benefit has been quantified in a transparent and traceable manner.
An independent certification body assesses whether the activity complies with the applicable CRCF requirements and certification methodology and whether the expected net carbon removal benefit or net soil emission reduction benefit has been quantified in a transparent and traceable manner.
Monitoring:
During the activity period, the operator or group of operators collects and documents the required data in accordance with the applicable monitoring requirements.
During the activity period, the operator or group of operators collects and documents the required data in accordance with the applicable monitoring requirements.
Re-certification audit (verification):
Based on the monitoring data, an independent certification body assesses whether the activity continues to comply with the applicable requirements and determines the net benefit achieved. Depending on the activity and applicable methodology, additional monitoring audits may also be required.
Based on the monitoring data, an independent certification body assesses whether the activity continues to comply with the applicable requirements and determines the net benefit achieved. Depending on the activity and applicable methodology, additional monitoring audits may also be required.
The activity and the supporting evidence are assessed against the applicable CRCF requirements and the relevant certification methodology. Key assessment aspects include in particular:
- quantification of carbon removals or soil emission reductions
- baseline and system boundaries
- additionality
- monitoring and data quality
- storage duration and potential reversals
- leakage and other relevant risks
- sustainability requirements
- traceable documentation and reporting
Core quality criteria (QU.A.L.ITY)
The CRCF Regulation groups its core requirements under the QU.A.L.ITY criteria:
QU – Quantification: robust, traceable and transparent quantification
A – Additionality: demonstration of additionality
L – Long-term storage: long-term storage, monitoring and management of reversal and liability risks
ITY – Sustainability: compliance with applicable sustainability requirements and avoidance of significant environmental harm
A – Additionality: demonstration of additionality
L – Long-term storage: long-term storage, monitoring and management of reversal and liability risks
ITY – Sustainability: compliance with applicable sustainability requirements and avoidance of significant environmental harm
Robust certification therefore requires appropriate monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) arrangements, traceable data sources and auditable documentation.
CRCF certification at DEKRA
The regulatory and accreditation framework for CRCF certification is being progressively further specified. DEKRA Certification is preparing the technical and organizational requirements for potential future certification activities within this European framework. In doing so, we build on our experience in the independent validation and verification of greenhouse gas information and climate mitigation projects. CRCF certification can only be performed once the applicable regulatory, recognition and accreditation requirements have been fulfilled.
Competence of DEKRA Certification GmbH
DEKRA Certification GmbH has experience in the independent validation and verification of greenhouse gas information and climate mitigation projects. Relevant technical foundations include ISO/IEC 17029, ISO 14065, ISO 14064-2 and ISO 14064-3.
Certification bodies operating under the CRCF framework are subject to specific European recognition and accreditation requirements. EN ISO/IEC 17065 is relevant as the accreditation basis for certification bodies; where validation or verification activities are performed, the applicable requirements of EN ISO/IEC 17029 and EN ISO 14065 also apply.
Certification bodies operating under the CRCF framework are subject to specific European recognition and accreditation requirements. EN ISO/IEC 17065 is relevant as the accreditation basis for certification bodies; where validation or verification activities are performed, the applicable requirements of EN ISO/IEC 17029 and EN ISO 14065 also apply.
Independence and impartiality
Independence and impartiality are key prerequisites for CRCF certification. DEKRA Certification performs conformity assessment activities in accordance with the applicable requirements for competence, independence and impartiality. Consultancy and independent conformity assessment must be clearly separated in order to avoid conflicts of interest and impermissible self-review.
Are you interested in CRCF certification?
Contact us for general information on the planned CRCF certification service and the current state of development.
Contact us for general information on the planned CRCF certification service and the current state of development.
