FAQ

How long will Gold Standard’s COVID-19 Interim Measures be in place?
Interim Measures aim to provide flexibility with different steps of the Gold Standard certification cycle without compromising the quality and rigour of the...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Why has Gold Standard implemented COVID-19 Interim Measures?
Due to COVID -19 outbreak and subsequent travel restrictions announced by many countries, Gold Standard recognises the associated challenges for projects, d...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:14 PM
What happens if the stakeholder consultation cannot be conducted?
The Project developer may apply the following interim measures in cases where physical stakeholder consultation meetings cannot reasonably be conducted by p...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:14 PM
If the stakeholder feedback round cannot be held due to COVID-19, must it be rescheduled?
Yes. In cases where stakeholder meetings have been postponed, the project shall conduct the physical meetings and stakeholder feedback round before the proj...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:15 PM
Can the project be submitted for Preliminary Review without conducting a physical meeting and stakeholder feedback round?
Yes. The project developer may submit the project/Component Project Activity (CPA)/Voluntary Project Activity (VPA) for Preliminary Review without conductin...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:16 PM
What happens if COVID-19 has affected our current monitoring plan?
The project developer may seek deviations from the registered monitoring plan on a case-by-case basis for the interim period.   One approach is the altern...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:16 PM
How have monitoring requirements changed for Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs)?
In the case of postponing monitoring, the VVBs shall determine whether the project has applied sufficiently conservative values and/or approach for the moni...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Can our project deviate from the current monitoring plan outside of the Interim Measures period?
No.  The project developer can only request any of the above deviations for monitoring during the period of the Interim Measures.
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:17 PM
How do I submit a monitoring plan deviation request?
The project developer can only request any of the above deviations for monitoring during the period of the Interim Measures.   The project developer shall...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:18 PM
How does my project proceed if the Validation and Verification Body (VVB) cannot conduct a site visit?
The Validation and Verification Bodies & SustainCERT may apply the following interim measures in cases where on-site inspections cannot reasonably be pe...
Mon, 20 Apr, 2020 at 3:18 PM