Validation and Verification Bodies Sanction

TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF ACCREDITATION

The ERS Secretariat can terminate or suspend VVBs whose evaluation raises reasonable doubt or confirms malpractices or breaches of ERS’ Validation & Verification Procedure. The duration of sanctions is determined at the ERS Secretariat’s sole discretion on a case-by-case basis.

1. Suspension. The VVB is temporarily forbidden from engaging in Validation/Verification. 

2. Termination. The VVB is forbidden to execute Validation/Verification for at least two years.

   
   

GROUNDS

1. Grounds for suspension

   1. Unannounced changes to audit teams without prior approval from the ERS Secretariat.
   2. Loss of relevant accreditation outlined in the Eligibility Criteria. 
   3. Negligence in the preparation of Validation/Verification reports or audit techniques. 
   4. Reasonable doubt that Validation & Verification Procedure are not being followed. 
   5. Reasonable doubt of fraud allegations or deliberately misleading statements. 

2. Grounds for termination

   1. Confirmed fraud allegations or deliberately misleading statements. 
   2. Persistent issues with performance or inconsistent quality of reports regarding methods, information, or language. 
   3. Breach of applicable legislation.
   4. Permanent loss of relevant accreditation outlined in the Eligibility Criteria. 

💡 If fraud allegations are confirmed, ERS reserves the right to take the necessary juridical actions to solve the matter when applicable.

SANCTION RESOLUTION

The ERS Secretariat must lift sanctions under the following circumstances. 

1. Suspension. Suspensions can be lifted under the following conditions:
   1. Design and implementation of a Performance Improvement Plan. 
      1. This can be applied when grounds for suspension are: 
         • Unannounced changes to audit teams
         • Loss of relevant accreditation
         • Negligence in the preparation of Validation/Verification reports or audit techniques.  
      2. The Plan must outline specific actions and timelines for addressing the identified shortcomings. 
      3. The VVB must submit proof of the Plan's implementation to the ERS Secretariat.
   2. Satisfying Clarification 
      1. Applied when grounds for suspension are: 
         • Reasonable doubts about fraud allegations
         • Reasonable doubts that Validation & Verification Procedure are not being followed.
      2. The VVB must submit enough justification and evidence to prove no fraud was committed or that the VVB observes all of ERS’ Validation & Verification Procedure. 
      3. Suspension must only be halted once all reasonable doubts are cleared.
2. Termination. After the two-year sanction period, the VVB might re-apply to become accredited by ERS. In the new accreditation demand, they must prove all reasons for termination were addressed and solved.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

All suspensions and sanctions must be publicly disclosed on the ERS website.