To protect High Conservation Values, users need to understand and effectively implement the HCV Approach.

To protect High Conservation Values (HCVs), users need to understand and effectively implement the HCV Approach. The Network does this by providing guidance, learning opportunities, technical support, and quality assurance. To date, quality assurance has mainly focused on high risk developments.

Given the number and diversity of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), as well as stakeholders outside certification, that have made commitments to identify and protect HCVs, the Network is working to develop quality assurance options commensurate to the level of risk posed to HCVs – both inside and outside of certification. These services could span across risk levels and geographic scales and be available to all interested parties.

Services

Quality assurance for high-risk developments

The HCV Network launched the Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) in 2014 to ensure robust identification of HCVs and HCVs alongside High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests in high-risk settings.

Better Cotton, Rainforest Alliance, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and the High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) Steering Group require ALS quality assurance.

The ALS conducts desk-based evaluations of reports produced by professionals licensed to lead HCV or HCV-HCSA assessments. Evaluations are done by a Quality Panel and can have up to three attempts to achieve a satisfactory mark. The scheme is constantly improving with support from its participants, interested stakeholders, and the Network’s Management Committee.

Initial Checks

Initial checks reduce the likelihood of unsatisfactory results during ALS evaluation of HCV or HCV-HCSA assessment reports. Professionals licensed to lead HCV or HCV-HCSA assessments can hire this service to receive feedback within three days on how their report can be improved prior to submission.

Initial Checks cost US $525 for HCV assessment reports, and US $800 for HCV-HCSA assessment reports.

If you would like to submit an Initial Check, please complete this form.

For more information, please contact secretariat@hcvnetwork.org.