Validation

What is validation?

Validation is the initial evaluation of a project against the requirements of Skógarkolefni - The Icelandic Forest Carbon Code (FCC) by a body accredited by Icelandic Standards. The validation body will check that statements about predicted carbon sequestration are materially correct, with a reasonable level of assurance.

When should I validate and how long does it take?

You have 5 years from the date you register to complete validation of your project. Validation can't be signed off until all your trees are planted, but you can start the validation process in parallel with planting. Only the landowner/tenant who plants the forest can validate it. A landowner who has purchased/tenant who has recently taken on a tenancy of a new carbon project cannot prove they wouldn't have planted the forest without carbon finance.

You should start preparing your documents at least 12 months before your validation due-date and allow 4 months from signing a contract with the validator to receiving your carbon units on the ICR.

Top tips for a smooth validation:

  • Give the validator as much notice as possible
  • Make sure your documents are well completed and accurate
  • Make sure you submit all the necessary supporting evidence
  • Respond as quickly as possible to requests for further information, clarification or corrective actions

A validation extension can be given in extenuating circumstances. Contact the FCC Secretariat.

Who can validate my project?

iCert

Borgartúni 30
is-105 Reykjavík
Tel. +354 565 9001 
iCert@iCert.is

How much does validation cost?

The cost of validation is estimated between 300.000 ISK and 500.000 ISK per project. We recommend getting quotes from validators.

What's the process?

There are four main steps. Your validator will let you know when your project has completed each stage:

1. Preparing and submitting documents

Prepare the following documents referring to the further guidance in the Forest Carbon Code. See Template Documents and forms: Project Idea Note, Project Design Document, Landowner, Tenant and Agent Contact Details Sheet, Landowner/Tenant Commitment Statement, and Map of Site.

2. Project audit

The validator will audit your project against the requirements of the Forest Carbon Code. This may involve a site visit.

For a group, the validation body will also audit the Group Manager to assess their group documentation, control systems and management processes.

You may be asked for further evidence or to take some corrective action. Your validator will give one month for you to complete any corrective actions (except in exceptional circumstances).

3. Project review

Your project documentation will be reviewed by the FCC Secretariat for consistency/completeness. If validation is successful, the validation body will issue a Validation Statement. The statement will be valid for 5 years from the project start-date.

4. Updating the registry and receiving Pending Issuance Units

In order to submit your project as validated, the process is as follows:

  • You should login to the ICR and update the project information if necessary.
  • If the registry account holder is not the landowner, we need documentation to confirm the account holder has the right to manage the projects carbon units. Upload one of either:
  • 'Communications Agreement' (to show the landowner is happy for the project developer to represent them in the registry).
  • 'Proof of Right' (to show the project developer owns the rights to the carbon) to confirm that they have the right to list the project's carbon units in their account.
  • You should then submit the project as 'Validated' in the registry.
  • The validation body will then upload the final documents. Note that some documents above might be publicly available upon validation. You will receive an email from ICR confirming your project is now shown as validated in the ICR registry.
  • ICR will set up and invoice for Forest Carbon Units to represent all the predicted carbon sequestration of your project. Upon payment the Pending Issuance Units will become active in your account. Note that fees might change over time.

When you sell units, you need to either transfer them to the buyer's account or assign them to the buyer.

Significant changes to projects or project developer/owner circumstances

Where there are significant changes to a project after validation, then the project will be required to be re-validated. This could be due to:

  • a significant change to the area or management of the project
  • the ownership of a project being split between different owners, or two neighboring projects being amalgamated by one owner

Changes to the area or management of a project could result in:

  • a variation to the carbon prediction (in which case some carbon units issued could be marked ‘Not Delivered’) or
  • the re-validation being unsuccessful (in which case the project and any carbon units issued will be marked ‘Not Delivered’)

In the first instance, contact the FCC Secretariat for further information.