> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://open-carbon-protocol.gitbook.io/ocp-handbook/registry/certifications-and-labels/ccp-core-carbon-principles.md). # CCP (Core Carbon Principles) The [Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM)](https://icvcm.org/) developed the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) labelling to set a global benchmark for quality carbon credits, increasing the integrity of the voluntary carbon market and registries operating in it. There are [**10 Core Carbon Principles (CCPs)**](https://icvcm.org/core-carbon-principles/)**:**
### Current Status The OCP is [currently undergoing assessment](https://icvcm.org/assessment-status/) by ICVCM to become **CCP-Eligible.** A full description of the carbon crediting program assessment process [can be found here](https://icvcm.org/how-we-assess-carbon-crediting-programs/). *** ## Applying for the 'CCP-Approved' Label for Credits The 'CCP-Approved' label is applied at Credit Issuance level, and is applicable to all credits within that issuance. [Read ICVCM’s description of a CCP credit here](https://icvcm.org/what-is-ccp-labelled-carbon-credit/). Once OCP is CCP-Eligible, Project Developers will be able to request the ‘CCP-Approved’ label for both past and future issuances. The label is applied at an issuance level, and can be requested for ongoing future issuances for a project. The project must use a methodology, and methodology version, in a CCP-Approved Category. The process for applying for the 'CCP-Approved' label is detailed below. Once a project has been approved to use the 'CCP- Approved' label for credit issuances, the 'CCP-Approved' Attribute and CCP Logo will be added to the individual credit, issuance event, and registered project page, in accordance with [ICVCM CCP Tagging and Logo Use Policy](https://icvcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ICVCM-CCP-Tagging-Manual-version-1-May-2024.pdf).

Example Project with 'CCP-Approved' label applied

There is no fee for requesting or labelling carbon credits as 'CCP-Approved'. **Application Process:**

Click to Zoom In and See Details

#### Application process for new projects using an existing OCP CCP-Approved Methodology: * Project Developer **must use the Methodology and Methodology Version** listed on the [CCP-Approved Category list](https://icvcm.org/assessment-status/). This information will be listed next to the relevant methodologies on the methodology selection tab of the Project Proposal form. * As part of Project Validation, **the VVB must confirm compliance with the relevant methodology version**. This is standard for all OCP Project Validations - see details here. * Project Developer **must follow any additional requirements for the relevant methodology published by the OCP based on feedback from the ICVCM**. This will be highlighted in the methodology and upon selection of the relevant methodology in the methodology selection tab of the Project Proposal form. This will be reviewed as part of the [Project Validation process](/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification.md#minimum-requirements-for-project-validation). * For project with multiple issuances, during each **Monitoring Event** and associated [**Data Verification**](/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification.md#data-verification), the ‘[OCP Data Check](/ocp-handbook/projects/third-party-validation-and-verification.md#ocp-review)’ will include a check that the methodology of the registered project is still a CCP-Approved Methodology. * If the methodology is confirmed to be a CCP-Approved Category Methodology: the issued credits will have the ‘CCP-Approved’ label. * If the methodology is not longer a CCP-Approved Methodology: the issued credits will not have the ‘CCP-Approved’ label. *The OCP team will notify project developers if they are using a CCP-Approved Methodology which is no longer a CCP-Approved Methodology within 5 working days of receiving the notification from ICVCM.* #### Application process for existing projects using a existing OCP CCP-Approved Methodology: * Project Developer **must ensure the project was using the correct Methodology and Methodology Version** listed on the[ CCP-Approved Category list](https://icvcm.org/assessment-status/). As OCP Project Validation requires the VVB to confirm full compliance with the relevant methodology version, re-validation is not required. * If the project was submitted and validated using a CCP-Approved Category Methodology for the full project duration, all relevant credit issuances may be retroactively labelled ‘CCP-Approved’ * If the project was validated under a **non-approved version of a now approved methodology** (e.g. using Methodology A v1.0, while the ICVCM approved methodology is Methodology A v2.0), the Project Developer must update the project design details to the new, approved methodology version, ‘**Project Amendment Request**’. This will require re-validation of all updated sections by an independent VVB. The VVB must issue a ‘**Project Amendment Validation Report**’ covering their assessment of all updated sections, which will be published publicly on the Registered Project page in the registry. * In this scenario, no previous credit issuances will be retroactively labelled ‘CCP-Approved’. Only future issuances will be receive the ‘CCP-Approved’ label. #### Application process for new projects without an existing OCP CCP-Approved Methodology: * Project Developer **should set up time with the OCP team** to discuss the development of a suitable methodology and submission to the CCP Category Assessment process. Details of the CCP Category Assessment process can be found below. In addition to the ‘CCP-Approved’ label, project developers may also request additional tagging of ‘CCP Attributes’. A credit may have more than one CCP Attribute, with each Attribute labelled separately. Carbon credits that are not CCP-Approved cannot be tagged with CCP Attributes. More information will be available upon publication by ICVCM. ### OCP Operating and Reporting Requirements * The OCP team will provide an annual report to the ICVCM containing information on the application of the Assessment Framework and CCP-Approval during the relevant year, including CCP-Approved tagging, complaints and revisions and updates to documents relevant to the CCP-Eligible status of the program. * The OCP team will notify ICVCM when it has completed tagging CCP-Approved credits for already-issued issues. Information and documentation for tagging for newly-issued credits will be submitted as part of the annual report, and available at any time to the ICVCM team or any other stakeholder. * Any complaint or grievance reported regarding 'CCP-Approved' labelling will follow the standard [OCP Grievances](/ocp-handbook/governance/stakeholder-engagement-and-complaints.md#reporting-grievances) procedure. All complaints and grievances will be communicated to the ICVCM team within 15 working days, to allow for initial investigation. *** ## Applying for 'CCP-Approval' for Methodologies Once the OCP is CCP-Eligible, suitable OCP Methodologies will be assessed by the ICVCM team and Multi-Stakeholder Working Groups. The assessment will be for a specific version of the methodology against the [category-level requirements](https://icvcm.org/how-we-assess-carbon-crediting-methodologies/): * **Emissions**: Additionality, Permanence, Robust Quantification, No Double Counting * **Sustainable Development Benefits and Safeguards**: Sustainable Development Benefits and Safeguards, Contribution to Net Zero Transition The OCP team will be working with all active project developers and methodology authors to submit relevant methodologies to the Methodology Assessment process once the Program Assessment has be completed. The OCP is responsible to submitting methodologies to ICVCM. As part of the assessment process, the OCP may receive 'Initial Comments' before the review, which will be communicated to methodology authors and may require either [a minor or major methodology version update](/ocp-handbook/methodologies/methodology-updates.md) before the assessment can continue. [The full methodology assessment can be found here](https://icvcm.org/how-we-assess-carbon-crediting-methodologies/):