Annual Audit Process
Last updated
Last updated
To ensure the OCP and all methodologies, projects, and users within operate at the highest level of integrity and with the best available science & data, we run ad-hoc and annual audits of everything on the platform.
Annual audit of OCP platform, employees & governing body, run by a third-party auditing firm
Focused on bribery, corruption & money laundering, based on ISO 9001 (International Quality Management Systems) and ISO 31000 (Risk Assessment).
The OCP Board assesses findings; the next steps are reported back + implemented by the OCP team.
Process + Findings will be published in this knowledge base + at ocp.earth.
Calyx Global conducted a private and informal assessment of our registry in November 2024. Reach out to info@oneshot.earth if you'd like access to their evaluation. Our first audit to be made public will occur in 2025, after the official launch.
Next audit: December 2025
Every year, an audit team will assess all published methodologies on a three part scale: all good / check up-to-date / critical flag (over-crediting or additionality).
The audit team is comprised of an OCP staff member, our Scientific Advisor, a VCM validation and compliance expert, and an ad-hoc sector expert.
All methodologies require a ‘check up-to-date’ at least once every 2 years; if they reach this boundary, they automatically get assigned this category.
Critical flag methodologies are put ‘on pause’ - no new projects can use them; no credits for existing projects can be issued until review is complete.
If the methodology requires an update, an expert panel is reassembled to review + approve again. All projects associated with that methodology will also be flagged for further investigation. The expert panel votes on whether existing projects will need to be stopped and re-submitted, including new validation.
If the methodology fails the audit, it will be marked as ‘Cancelled’ and a summary of the cancellation reason will be added. It will then be unable to be used on the OCP platform. Any ongoing projects using it will be put on hold and will have to reapply using another methodology. We will fully delete it off the system, as we believe there is enormous value in documenting issues with the VCM and learning from mistakes.
Methodologies are checked for:
Continued conservativeness in baseline and emission reduction/removal calculations, to ensure no over-crediting,
Any change in regulation / law that may have changed impact additionality,
Scientific advances that may have changed initial uncertainties or additionality, permanence, or other parts of the methodology,
Other factors relevant to the sector.
Results + actions shared and approved by the Governing Board and published in this handbook and at ocp.earth.
Next audit: December 2025
Every year, an audit team will assess all project categories on a three-part scale: all good / review / critical flag.
This includes checking against meta-registries + other registries for any double-counting.
The project audit team has the same composition described for methodology review (an OCP staff member, our Scientific Advisor, a VCM validation and compliance expert, and an ad-hoc sector expert).
Independently and separately, Validation companies audit both Validators and Projects they have assessed.
Additionally, anyone can submit an anonymous or non-anonymous complaint or flag for updates via our Independent Grievance/Complaint process, which is open at all times. This will spark the immediate review of any methodology or project.
Results + actions shared and approved by the governing Board are published in this Handbook and at ocp.earth.
Next audit: December 2025
Experts, Validators, and Data Providers must provide or confirm up-to-date information, including company information + Conflict of Interest declaration annually.
An independent contractor reviews information against public sources (LinkedIn, company websites, accreditation lists).
If any red flags come up, the account is put on pause (no further work can be done on the OCP platform), and a full review is completed with the full cooperation of the individual or company.
One minor strike = account suspended for 1 year; two minor strikes or major strike = banned permanently.
Minor or major strikes are publicly recorded on the user page. Banned or paused users still have a public profile on the platform with details on transgression.
Results + actions shared and approved by the governing Board are published in this Handbook and at ocp.earth.
Next audit: December 2025
Additionally, anyone can submit an anonymous or non-anonymous complaint or flag for updates via our , which is open at all times. This will spark the immediate review of any methodology or project.
