PV Nature - Validation and Verification Requirements for the approval of Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) and/or Independent Experts (IEs) are listed below. This information is also listed in this document, available here: Requirements for Approval of VVBs and/or IEs > Validation The validation process is to ensure that the on-ground implementation of the project is reflective of the Project Design Document (PDD) and adheres to the Plan Vivo Biodiversity Standard (PV Nature). Plan Vivo is currently developing the PV Nature Project Validation Guidance. Based on the projects preference, there are two different validation and verification routes. A project will have to contract a Validation and Verification Body (VVB) from the list of approved VVBs for PV Nature to conduct a validation. A project will have to contract an Independent Expert (IE) to conduct the validation, with the Plan Vivo Foundation overseeing the overall validation process. Verification Verifications assess a project's continued performance against PV Nature and achievement of expected biodiversity benefits. Verification is required within 5 years of project registration and at least every 5 years thereafter. Verifiers are chosen by projects but must be approved by the Plan Vivo Foundation. Based on the projects preference, there are two different validation and verification routes. A project will have to contract a Validation and Verification Body (VVB) from the list of approved VVBs for PV Nature to conduct a validation. A project will have to contract an Independent Expert (IE) to conduct verification, with the Plan Vivo Foundation overseeing the overall verification process. Approval of Verifiers and Validators PVF requires that VVBs be accredited prior to the commencement of any validation or verification activities under PV Nature. Accreditations provide criteria for assessing and recognizing the competence of VVBs, thereby allowing for a consistent and comparable scheme across Plan Vivo biodiversity projects. Accreditation reduces the risk to biodiversity crediting programmes by providing assurance that VVBs are competent, and it helps establish trust within the emerging Voluntary Biodiversity Market by ensuring impartiality in the validation and verification processes. Plan Vivo accepts the following accreditation for VVBs under PV Nature: Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17029:2019, Conformity assessment — General principles and requirements for VVBs, by a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF);And the validation/verification team must have experience in a field related to biodiversity, ecology, conservation or environmental science, environmental project development or initiative aimed at providing social and/or environmental benefits. VVBs must be approved by PVF prior to the start of any validation or verification activities under PV Nature. VVBs may apply at any time for approval to conduct validation and verification activities. The VVB application form can be found below and should be submitted (along with all required supporting documentation, listed below) to [email protected] PV Nature VVB Application Form > Required supporting documentation: Evidence of accreditation; Curriculum Vitae of all Lead Auditors and essential team members, including training and skills; Evidence of professional service liability insurance. At the point of submission for VVB approval, a VVB must outline the staff members who will be Lead Auditors and Audit Team members. At least two Lead Auditors must be submitted (a Team Leader and Senior Internal Reviewer) When a VVB has been contracted to undertake a particular project validation or verification, a Conflict of Interest (CoI) form must be submitted to the Plan Vivo Secretariat on behalf of the proposed audit team. The CVs of the audit team and other team members must be submitted and subsequently approved together with the CoI form by PVF in advance of any validation or verification activities. Approval of Independent Experts Independent Experts (IEs) can be individuals or teams of experts. IEs conduct the validation or verification audit by carrying out the validation/verification, this is conducting the site visit, recording findings in validation or verification review reports and writing the validation/verification report. IEs must have the following qualifications and skills: Education - Masters degree or higher in a subject relevant to the evaluation; for example, biology, marine sciences, ecology, environmental engineering/ environmental sciences or similar. Work Experience - At least three (3) years of work experience in a field related to biodiversity, ecology or environmental science, environmental project development or initiative aimed at providing social and/or environmental benefits or at least two years of undertaking audits of such projects or initiatives. Country-specific knowledge/language skills; Interviewing, listening, and observing skills; Sensitivity towards socioeconomic matters and environmental and social safeguards. IEs can be proposed by projects or apply directly, by submitting a CV and the Independent Expert Application form (see below) to [email protected] PV Nature Independent Expert Application Form > All IEs are required to schedule at least 3 information sessions with the Plan Vivo Secretariat before carrying out individual audits. These include: Training on the Plan Vivo Biodiversity Standard (PV Nature). Relevant PV documentation and Terms of Reference. Project-specific information prior to site visits (to be completed once the IE has been contracted for a site visit). Once approved, the IE will be listed on a publicly-available roster of Plan Vivo-approved Independent Experts. No validation or verification activities shall take place prior to an Independent Expert’s approval by PVF and all contracts with Independent Experts should be co-signed by PVF. A Conflict of Interest (CoI) form must be submitted to PVF when an IE is contracted for a site visit. The cost of the validation and verification audits to the project will include the cost of contracting the IE (paid directly to the IE), in addition to a validation and verification review fee raised by PVF. Any questions? Please contact: [email protected] About PV Nature PV Nature Costs & Fees Manage Cookie Preferences