Section 95978 - Offset Verifier and Verification Body Accreditation(a) An offset verifier or verification body must meet the accreditation requirements in section 95132 of MRR to provide offset verification services to verify GHG emission reductions and GHG removal enhancements for offset projects listed pursuant to this article. Accreditation of verification bodies and offset verifiers for verifying Offset Project Data Reports under this article must be achieved separately from accreditation for verifying reports submitted under the MRR.(b) For purposes of this article, the subcontractor requirements in section 95132(e) of the MRR must be applied to the Offset Project Operator and/or Authorized Project Designee and not a reporting entity.(c) An ARB accredited verification body must make itself and its personnel available for an ARB audit.(d) An ARB-accredited offset verification body may employ or contract with technical experts not accredited by ARB to assist with offset verification services. (1) All technical experts must be listed on the Notice of Offset Verification Services as required in section 95977.1(b) and must be included in the evaluation for conflict of interest as required in section 95979.(2) Technical experts must be under the direct supervision of an ARB-accredited offset verifier while performing verification activities.(3) Technical experts may assist in underlying offset verification tasks, but may not be responsible for completing any offset verification services as defined in 95802(a).(e) "Direct supervision," for purposes of this section, means daily, on-site, close contact with an ARB-accredited verifier acting as a supervisor to a technical expert during a site visit, who is able to respond to the needs of the technical expert. During a site visit, the supervisor must be physically present, or within 4 hours travel time and available to respond to the needs of the technical expert.(f) "Technical expert," for purposes of this section, means a person, who is not an ARB-accredited verifier, and has demonstrated expertise in a particular technical area for which the person hired by the verification body to assist with underlying offset verification task(s) that require a particular expertise. A technical expert may be an employee of the verification body working to get the required experience to become an ARB-accredited verifier.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 95978
1. New section filed 12-13-2011; operative 1-1-2012 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 50).
2. Amendment filed 6-26-2014; operative 7-1-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 26).
3. Amendment of subsection (e) filed 9-18-2017; operative 10-1-2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 38). Note: Authority cited: Sections 38510, 38560, 38562, 38570, 38571, 38580, 39600 and 39601, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 38530, 38560.5, 38564, 38565, 38570 and 39600, Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 12-13-2011; operative 1-1-2012 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 50).
2. Amendment filed 6-26-2014; operative 7/1/2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 26).
3. Amendment of subsection (e) filed 9-18-2017; operative 10/1/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 38).