Regulatory and voluntary frameworks
Verification and validation
Independent assurance for data, emissions, claims and project outcomes
Regulatory requirements are evolving rapidly across Europe. At the same time, organisations increasingly need reliable data to support sustainability claims, emissions reporting, customer requirements and commercial commitments.
Control Union has extensive experience as an independent conformity assessment body within Dutch and European frameworks for CO₂ reduction, renewable energy and sustainability. We provide independent verification and validation services for organisations that require assurance over reported data, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability claims and project outcomes.
We support organisations with both regulated and voluntary verification and validation, combining independence with sector expertise, knowledge of European regulatory requirements and international market experience.
What is the difference between verification and validation?
Verification is the independent assessment of historical or reported data, claims or outcomes against defined requirements.
Validation is the independent assessment of future or projected claims, plans, methodologies or project outcomes before implementation.
In short: validation looks forward; verification assesses what has already taken place.
Both provide independent assurance and help organisations strengthen the credibility of information, improve transparency and meet regulatory, market or voluntary requirements.
Which verification or validation service do you need?
The reason for requiring verification or validation differs from one organisation to another. Verification or validation may be required by legislation, or it may arise from a voluntary standard, customer requirement, contractual commitment or sustainability objective.
To help you find the appropriate service,we distinguish between verification and validation, and between regulated and voluntary applications.
Regulated verification
Independent assessment required under applicable legislation or regulation. Examples include Renewable Energy for Transport (HE/ERE), EU ETS/ETS2, CBAM and SDE.
Voluntary verification
Independent assessment of emissions data, sustainability claims, product and footprint claims, performance indicators or supply-chain information against defined criteria.
Regulated validation
Independent assessment before implementation where required within an applicable regulatory framework. The specific application depends on the relevant legislation.
Voluntary validation
Independent assessment before implementation of areas such as project designs, methodologies, projected outcomes and sustainability or greenhouse gas projects.
Regulated verification services
Verification requirements differ depending on your organisation and the applicable regulation. Are you subject to Dutch or European requirements relating to CO₂ emissions, energy or renewable energy? Control Union provides independent verification in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Choose the CO₂ emissions & renewable energy verification service that applies to you:
Voluntary verification
Not every verification requirement originates from legislation.
Organisations also use voluntary verification to provide greater confidence in reported information and substantiate claims made to customers, investors, supply-chain partners and other stakeholders.
The applicable criteria and verification outcome depend on the relevant standard, methodology or agreed scope.
Voluntary verification may relate to:
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greenhouse gas and emissions data;
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sustainability and performance indicators;
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product and carbon footprint claims;
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supply-chain transparency;
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commercial or contractual requirements;
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sector-specific requirements;
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customised verification scopes.
Validation services
It provides an independent assessment of proposed projects, methodologies, plans, claims or expected outcomes before implementation. Depending on the purpose, validation may be required by a regulatory framework or carried out voluntarily against defined criteria.
Validation looks ahead
Choose the validation service that applies to you:
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Regulated validation
Regulated validation is required when an applicable regulatory framework calls for an independent assessment before an activity, methodology or project is implemented. The specific criteria and requirements depend on the relevant regulation.
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Voluntary validation
Voluntary validation provides independent assurance before implementation against a voluntary standard or agreed criteria. It can apply to projects, methodologies, expected outcomes and sustainability claims. Once implemented, verification may subsequently confirm the results actually achieved.
What do we verify and validate?
Demand for independent assurance is growing, particularly where organisations need to demonstrate the reliability of emissions data, performance information or specific sustainability claims.
Our services may include:
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greenhouse gas emissions and emissions reporting;
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regulated CO₂ and renewable energy requirements;
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project-based verification and validation;
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sustainability and operational performance indicators;
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product and carbon footprint claims;
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supply-chain transparency;
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sector-specific regulatory requirements;
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customised verification and validation scopes.
Verification and validation in practice
Independent verification and validation is used in many different situations, from European regulatory compliance to emissions-reduction projects and transparency across international supply chains.
Supporting organisations with CBAM verification
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduces requirements relating to emissions data for goods covered by the mechanism.
Control Union supports organisations with independent verification of emissions data where required under the applicable CBAM framework.
Verified actual emissions data can reduce reliance on default emissions values. We also work with producers outside the EU that need reliable emissions information for customers importing their products into the European market.
Service type: Regulated verification
Supporting methane reduction in the palm oil sector
A palm oil producer implemented a project to capture and reuse methane emissions from palm oil mill effluent.
Control Union was involved in the validation and verification of the associated greenhouse gas emissions reductions under frameworks such as ISO 14064-2.
This enabled the organisation to independently substantiate the achieved emissions reductions and support the generation of verified carbon units for use within carbon markets.
Service type: Voluntary validation & verification
Independently verifying supply-chain transparency
A major supermarket retailer wanted sustainability and supply-chain claims associated with a branded clothing initiative to be independently assessed.
Control Union verified the integrity of the relevant supply chain, helping the organisation strengthen transparency, reduce reputational risk and provide customers and other stakeholders with greater confidence in the underlying information.
Service type: Voluntary verification
Frequently asked questions
Verification independently assesses historical or reported data, claims or results against defined requirements. Validation assesses proposed or future claims, plans, methodologies or project outcomes before implementation. In simple terms, validation looks forward, while verification looks at what has already taken place.
Certification assesses conformity with the requirements of a standard or certification scheme and may result in the issue of a certificate. Verification independently confirms whether reported data, claims or results conform to defined criteria. Depending on the applicable framework, the outcome may be a verification statement, opinion or report.
Regulated verification is performed to meet requirements established by applicable legislation or regulation. Voluntary verification is carried out against defined criteria without a direct legal obligation and may be driven by a standard, customer requirement, contractual commitment, investor requirement or sustainability objective. Both involve an independent assessment against defined requirements.
This depends on the applicable regulation and your organisation’s activities. Independent verification is required within a number of European and Dutch regulatory frameworks. Examples include certain requirements under EU ETS/ETS2, CBAM and Dutch Renewable Energy for Transport legislation. The individual service pages explain the relevant requirements in more detail.
Yes. Under some frameworks, a project is first validated before implementation to assess its design, methodology and projected outcomes. Verification can subsequently be used to assess reported data and results after implementation.
No. Whether a site visit is required depends on the applicable framework, scope, risk assessment and nature of the information being verified or validated. We establish the applicable assessment approach during the scoping and planning stage.
Timelines depend on the applicable framework, scope, complexity and the availability and quality of the required data and documentation. Following an initial scope review, we can provide a timeline based on the specific assessment requirements.
Costs depend on factors including the applicable framework, scope, complexity, volume of data, number and location of sites and any site-visit requirements. We therefore provide a proposal based on the specific verification or validation scope.
Global coverage, local knowledge
Control Union provides peace of mind in supply chain worldwide. Thanks to our up-to-date knowledge and experience, we cover all aspects of the supply and value chain in various industries. We think along, communicate clearly and offer concrete solutions
As a ‘one-stop shop’ for international and local certificates, we make certification more efficient. Want to know more about our independent, accredited audits and certifications?
Whether you are certifying for the first time or have been around for years, we help!
Years of experience
Offices and labs worldwide in 80 countries
Proud colleagues
Which verification or validation service do you need?
Whether you are preparing for a new regulatory requirement, need greenhouse gas or emissions data verified, or require independent assurance over a sustainability claim or project, we can help you identify the relevant Control Union service.
Tell us what needs to be assessed and we will connect you with the appropriate verification or validation team and relevant scope.
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