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Standards · Procedures

CR-I Procedures

Step by step: how a project is listed, validated, registered and issued MCUs, and how new methodologies are approved.

RIP v1.0MAP v1.0NCCF review ≤ 21 working days

Procedures

The procedures set out, step by step, how a project is registered and issued Marketable Carbon Units (MCUs), and how new methodologies and tools are approved.

Final approval of registrations, issuances and methodologies rests with the CR-I Governing Council.

The project cycle at a glance

Design and consultIPP · DPD · SCR
ListingIPP · ≤ 1 yr from start · 2 yrs AFOLU
Public consultationNCCF · 30 days
ValidationVVB · Validation Report
Request for registrationVVB · ≤ 2 yrs from start · 5 yrs AFOLU
Registration reviewNCCF · ≤ 21 working days
RegistrationNCCF · Project registered
MonitoringIPP · Monitoring Report
VerificationVVB · MR consultation 21 days · VeR
Request for issuanceVVB · MR · VeR
IssuanceNCCF · MCUs into IPP account
Retirement or cancellationIPP · Account holder request

Before you start

Is your project eligible?

A project can be registered with CR-I when it meets all seven criteria below. Tick each one your project meets to check where you stand.

ScaleWhich scale?Net reductions or removals per year decide the scale, which sets fees and the validation route.Micro≤ 10,000Small≤ 60,000Large> 60,000tCO2e per year · Carbon Standard 9.5.1 · Details
0 of 7 met

Tick each criterion your project meets. Not sure about one? Open its details.

Your project looks eligible. Next, create a Registry account and prepare your Detailed Project Document (DPD).
Register a projectSee the steps

A self-check only. A VVB confirms eligibility at validation, and NCCF at registration review. Read the full rules in the Carbon Standard v1.1 and the Tool for Sustainable Development.

Project cycle · part 1

From design to registration

Under the Registration and Issuance Procedure. Chips show who acts and the time limit.

  1. Design and consult IPPBefore listing
    Design the project on a Registry-approved methodology, consult local stakeholders, prepare the DPD and SCR.
  2. Listing IPP≤ 1 yr from start · 2 yrs AFOLU
    Submit the listing form with the DPD and SCR through the Registry and pay the listing fee.
  3. Public consultation NCCF30 days
    NCCF checks completeness and publishes the DPD and SCR; comments go to the VVB.
  4. Validation VVBAfter consultation
    The IPP appoints an empanelled VVB, which validates the project and prepares the Validation Report.
  5. Request for registration VVB≤ 2 yrs from start · 5 yrs AFOLU
    The VVB submits the DPD, SCR and VaR; the IPP pays the registration fee.
  6. Registration review NCCF≤ 21 working days
    Approve, ask for clarification or reject. One VVB response and one consultation allowed.
  7. Registration NCCFOn approval
    The project moves to the registered category on the Registry.

Project cycle · part 2

From monitoring to MCUs

  1. Monitoring IPPEach period
    Implement and monitor the project; prepare the Monitoring Report (MR).
  2. Verification VVBMR consultation 21 days
    A VVB other than the validator for the first three verifications, and none for more than three periods in a row, verifies and prepares the VeR.
  3. Request for issuance VVB≤ 21 working days review
    The VVB submits the MR and VeR; NCCF reviews.
  4. Issuance NCCFBuffer ≤ 15 working days
    MCUs are issued into the IPP’s account; AFOLU projects transfer their buffer contribution.
  5. Retirement or cancellation Account holderOn request
    Submit the request; NCCF executes it in the Registry and confirms.

After registration

Changes during a project’s life

PDC

Permanent design changes

Revised DPD, validated by an empanelled VVB (PDC-VaR). NCCF reviews within 21 working days.

RCP

Renewal of crediting period

After at least one verification. Give notice 270 to 90 working days before expiry; validation within 100 days of VVB appointment.

Reversals

GHG reversals

Notify NCCF within 15 days; reversal report within 45 days or with the next MR, if earlier. VVB verification and NCCF review follow.

CPA

Component project activities

Inclusion requests are validated by a VVB and reviewed by NCCF within 21 working days.

Withdrawal

Withdrawing a submission

A DPD before the request for registration, or an MR before the request for issuance. Processed within 5 working days.

Methodology cycle

How methodologies are approved

CR-I accepts UN CDM methodologies and tools within the scope of the Carbon Standard. Anything new follows the Methodology Approval Procedure, with a 30-day public consultation on every route.

New

New methodology or tool

  1. Synopsis · NCCF review ≤ 14 working days
  2. Full document · completeness check ≤ 7 working days
  3. 30-day public consultation
  4. Assessment by a first VVB
  5. Assessment by a second VVB identified by NCCF
  6. Final review and approval
  7. Listing ≤ 5 working days

Pre-approved

Already approved elsewhere

For methodologies listed by a similar international, national or regional programme.

  1. Submission (no synopsis)
  2. Initial review ≤ 14 working days
  3. 30-day public consultation
  4. IMD addresses comments ≤ 21 working days
  5. Final review, approval and listing

Revision

Revising a methodology

Major changes take the next whole version; minor ones the next decimal.

  1. Revision submitted · initial review
  2. 30-day public consultation
  3. VVB assessment
  4. Final review, approval and listing
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, with SDG 13 Climate Action highlighted. Every CR-I project contributes to at least four SDGs, including SDG 13.