resources
Information Bulletins
The Information Bulletins are supplementary to the PFS Standard and provide further specifics and guidance as and where required. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the PFS Standard where relevant.
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Title – Amend: To Read - Standard Application form for PFS verification and issue of PFS Stored CO2 carbon credits
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: Deleted: PFS-IB-032.
Amend: Deleted - PFS Standard for proof of longevity of forestry CO2 removals and assessing risk of green statements where such proof exists: Part II: Best practice for proof forestry CO2 captured remains stored until 2100).
Added: Email address is required to open preliminary account
Amend: To Read - MUFG Pension & Market Services (NZ) Ltd
Amend: To Read - MUFG Pension & Market Services (NZ) Ltd
Step One, Point 1, d – Amend: To Read - Commentary: this question must be answered “YES” because to claim and use NZUs and then seek to have the same CO2 sequestration support VCCs may amount to double counting. See table 1 below to check your forests eligibility.
Step One Point h: Removed as it was a duplicate of i
Table 1 - Amend: Addition - NB if you answer “no” please contact us as PFS may still be able to verify your forest.
Amend: Deleted: is YES/NO
Amend: Added: Bullet Point
Step Eight - Amend: To Read - You will have to comply with PFS Standard Part I to be granted a PFS certification under PFS Standard Part II if such measurements do not exist. This will require you to measure the CO2 removals in your forest to establish a baseline. If your application is for Certification coinciding with a mandatory ETS measurement you may rely on that measurement. Otherwise, you will need to undertake a field measurement of your forest CO2 removals. PFS will explain how to do this.
Added new Step Nine: To Read - Completing and upload following when requested (which we will provide you with)
a) Project Design Document
b) Implementation Plan
c) Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Plan
d) Risk Mitigation Plan if required
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-001
PFS-IB-008 v2
Avoiding Adverse Impacts: Governance Risk Assessment
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - This PFS-IB-008 addresses operational governance. PFS governance is addressed in PFS-IB-302.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-008
PFS-IB-012 v2
Silviculture Risk Assessment
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Update Clause 25 d) to read: Refer to PFS T&Cs, Clause 6.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-012
PFS-IB-020 v1
Complaints
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-003 v2
Information required to allow forest risk assessments
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Point 1 a) Commentary: this allows PFS to (a) carry out a legal risk assessment see PFS Standard Part II, Chapter 8; (b) a forestry risk assessment (see PFS Standard Part II, chapter 9).
Point 1 b) ii Commentary changed references to “PFS Standard Part II, Chapter 9”
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-003
PFS-IB-009 v2
Avoiding Adverse Impacts: ESG Social Risk Assessment
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - Point 3 - Social Impacts are also addressed in PFS-IB-302 (Governance and Consultations for Projects) and PFS-IB-045 (PFS Standard Consideration of UNFCCC A6.4-TOOL-AC-001 (Sustainability development tool) as clear and appropriate).
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-009
PFS-IB-013 v2
Legal Risk Assessment
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Point 1 - Amend: To Read - A lawyer, on the information provided and after analysing all current documentation available on-line from LINZ relating to the forest and land or interest in land said to support the application, shall answer the following questions:
Part A 1 f) Update reference in the Commentary: This is relevant to additionality: see PFS Standard Part II, Chapter 11.3.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-013
PFS-IB-017 v3
Form of Acceptable Deed of Encumbrance V3
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v3 Active since 23rd June 2026
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
PFS-IB-017 has now moved to PFS-IB-202 an internal PFS document.
PFS-IB-021 v2
PFS Measurement of Project GHG emissions – approved methodologies
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: Point 4 - formatting
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-021
PFS-IB-005 v2
Standard Application form for PFS positive risk assessment PFS Standard Part III and issue of PGCC or VCC
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Title – Amend: To Read - PFS-IB-005: Standard Application form for PFS positive risk assessment PFS Standard Part III and issue of PGCC or VCC
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Part C: Deleted: Part C: Complying with PFS Standard Part I
In PFS-IB-001 steps Eight to Eleven, are optional. The issue under Part III is whether your GHG Statement is not deceptive or misleading in what it expresses or implies. If it is directed only to CO2 Removals, it may not imply anything about GHG emissions associated with the forest.
Amend: The following steps Nine to Thirteen replace steps Nine to Eleven in PFS-IB-001
Step Nine – Amend: To Read - If your forest is registered under the NZ ETS, please tell us how many NZUs you have claimed or will claim under it. PFS-IB-007 advises that you do not have to report NZUs that you may receive in addition to those you advise you will not claim, and the T&Cs you sign may require you to renounce such NZUs.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-005
PFS-IB-010 v2
Avoiding Adverse Impacts: ESG (Environmental Risk Assessment)
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - Point 3 - Environmental Risk assessments are also addressed in PFS-IB-045 (PFS Standard Consideration of UNFCCC A6.4-TOOL-AC-001 (Sustainability Development Tool) as clear and appropriate).
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-010
PFS-IB-014 v2
Part Certification of Project Forest
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - This PFS-IB-014 is to is to be read as part of PFS Part II.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-014
PFS-IB-018 v2
GHG Statements may qualify for positive legal risk assessment other than by complying with PFS Standard Part I
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Title – Amend: To Read - PFS-IB-018: GHG Statements may qualify for positive legal risk assessment other than by complying with PFS Standard Part I
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Point 1 – Amend: To Read - A GHG Statement may qualify for a positive legal risk assessment whether or not the Applicant has also applied for certification under PFS Standard Part II.
Point 1, a – Amend: To Read - An Application must be received in an approved form and comply with PFS-IB-005, and where an application is made, after Part II has been complied with it also complies with PFS-IB-001.
Point 3: The following chapters and clauses of PFS Standard Part II shall be complied with; including any relevant PFS-IB-000 (or 200, 300 or 400 series).
Changed: 11 to Eleven
Point 4 – Amend: Margin formatting
Point 5 – a – Amend: To Read - PFS-IB-011, paras 23-25 shall be applied, excepting a new para 24A shall be deemed to apply as follows: The Team Leader shall deduct the NZUs to be claimed in respect of the forest, as advised by the Applicant, if the forest was planted after 2008 and PFS has not agreed to recognise such NZUs
Point 5 – b – Amend: d to b
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-018
PFS-IB-022 v2
PFS required procedures upon discovery of loss event (loss of all/part of forest)
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
This PFS-IB-022 is to is to be read as part of PFS Standard Part II.
Terms in this PFS-IB-021 bear the meaning in Chapter 4, PFS Standards Part I, Part II and Part III.
Immediately upon discovery of the loss of all or part of a forest which has been verified to the PFS Standard the forest owner, forest manager or a forest RFA, as the case may be, shall notify PFS by email to infor@pfs-carbonstandard.com or such other email address as PFS may from time to time advise.
After such notification PFS will, among other actions, require a measurement of extent of loss (“the Lost Part”) to be undertaken by, or under the supervision of the Forest Manager or RFA. This may be undertaken by field measurement, drone, satellite or some other means specified by PFS.
The Project Owner will be required to submit within six months of the loss an updated Monitoring Report describing the loss and the impact on the Project.
All costs of the above steps shall be borne by the Project owner.
Upon receipt of the updated Monitoring Report and measurement, PFS will notify the Registry to debut the Natural Insurance Account with the number of tonnes CO2 that have been previously granted for VCCs or PGCCs, but which would not have been if the Lost Part had not existed when the baseline measurement was undertaken.
No further VCCs or PGCCs shall be issued in respect of the Lost Part.
The CEO or such other person who the task has been delegated to shall be responsible for overseeing the above steps are undertaken.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-022
PFS-IB-007 v2
Receiving more NZUs than promised
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - Part of the information required for certification under Part III, if a forest is receiving NZUs under the NZ ETS, is a figure of how many NZUs (the unit of sequestration recognised by the NZ ETS) have been and will be claimed over the life of the forest. Under Part II if a forest is receiving NZUs under the ETS these are ignored and do not affect certification under Part II if the forest was planted before 2008. If planted otherwise the forest may not qualify for certification under Part II.
When calculating the CO2 sequestered and to be sequestered by the forest for the purposes of issuing a positive risk assessment under Part III for specified tonnes of CO2, a deduction will usually be made for the NZUs that have or will be received until 2100, but only for forests planted after 2007. Forests planted in 2007 or before may be receiving NZUs, but these are not considered to offend the principle of no double counting or the need for additionality: see PFS-IB-016.
For forests planted after 2007 and receiving NZUs, the fewer NZUs that are claimed the greater the CO2 sequestration that may be certified.
The New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries currently issues forest specific look up tables for the first 50 years after planting. An applicant can take any figure within those 50 years, or the 50 year figure, or indeed any figure beyond the 50 years.
For so long as a forest is registered under the NZ ETS it may be necessary to file ETS returns and receive NZUs, even if a forester doesn’t wish to and has promised not to. PFS T&Cs provide that if this occurs the “excess NZUs”, i.e. those received above the nominated figure, may have to be surrendered (PFS T&Cs, Schedule 1, clause 5).
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-007
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Change point 11. b from “nine years” to “three years from application or such other period as PFS Agrees”
Change reference in point 20(j) to “Part II Chapter nine”
Update 24A to read: The Team Leader shall deduct the NZUs to be claimed in respect of the forest, as advised by the Applicant, if the forest was planted after 2008 unless otherwise directed by the PFS board, being satisfied no relevant double counting exists. Commentary: This clause 24A shall be followed if PFS-IB-018 applies.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-011
PFS-IB-015 v1
Form of acceptable renouncing of NZUS
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-019 v1
Protocols for random plotting of non-ETS forests
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-023 v1
Form of Approved GHG Report
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-024 v1
Field measurements of forests procedures
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-029 v2
Uploading information to PFS and MUFG portals
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
This PFS-IB-029 only applies if MUFG is the registry for selling VCCs
PFS-IB-033 v1
Principles to be applied by PFS and an approved VVB relevant to validation and verification activities required by PFS Standard Part I
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-037 v1
Protocols for Monitoring of project forest by forest manager
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-041 v1
Considering the “like for like” principle
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-301 v1
Standard Protocols for the verification of projects
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-403 v1
Consultation requirements for Amendments
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-505 v1
Longer permanence requirements consistent with non-reversal period proposed by UNFCCC Supervisory Body (SB)
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-025 v1
Emission activities that are necessary to ensure forestry CO2 removals are stored until 2100
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-030 v1
Sustainability and positive climate outcomes
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-034 v1
Information not requiring Validation or Verification
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-038 v1
Protocols for Monitoring of forests by satellite imagery
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-042 v1
Shared information regarding present and past versions of PFS Standard and PFS-IB-000 series
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-302 v1
Governance and Consultation for Projects
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-501 v1
PFS Standard compliance with A6.4-STAN-METH-002 (formerly A6.4-SBM014-A06)
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-026 v1
Permitted Felling
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-031 v2
PFS Statement of consistency with ISO 14064-1; IC-VCM core carbon principles and SBTi
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - ISO 14064-1: 2018
ISO CLAUSE/COMPLIANCE
Notes, Point 2, b – Amend: To Read - PFS Standard Part II only allows CO2 emissions confirmed by a NZIF registered member as necessary to maximise CO2 Removals.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-031
PFS-IB-035 v1
Certification Procedures and Requirements for VVBs (Validation and Verification Bodies
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-039 v2
Principles to be applied by PFS or an approved VVB relevant to validation and verification activities required by PFS Standard Part III
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Completeness, relevance and truth and fairness are adequately addressed in the extensive formulations of all PFS-IB-000 and 200 series and in the “Operating Manual” (OM).
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-039
PFS-IB-043 v1
Leakage relative to New Zealand forestry
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-401 v1
Standard Protocols for registration of projects
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-502 v1
Double Counting Resolution
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-028 v2
Risk Assessment referred to in PFS Standard Part III chapter 7
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Amend: To Read - If an Applicant wishes to obtain a legal risk assessment as required by PFS Standard Part III chapter 7, it will need to obtain a lawyer’s letter from the jurisdictions in which it proposes to rely on a GHG Statement made in accordance with PFS Standard Part III chapter 6, confirming the GHG it proposes to make it not deceptive or misleading according to the law applying in those jurisdictions.
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-028
PFS-IB-032 v2
GHG Statement in PFS Standard Part III Chapter Six Clause 6.2 and compliance with ISO 14064-3
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First published:
22nd July 2024
Status:
v2 Active since 1st August 2025
v1 Active since 22nd July 2024
Authors:
PFS Certification Ltd
VVB Assessment Report(s):
v2 SGS 21st July 2025
v1 SGS 8th July 2024
Summary of Changes:
Version Number – Amend: V2
Date of Posting – Amend: 30th April 2025
Title – Amend: To Read - PFS-IB (information bulletin)-032: GHG Statement in PFS Standard Part III Chapter Six Clause 6.2 and compliance with ISO 14064-3
Point One – Amend: To Read - ISO 14064-3 states “This document details requirements for verifying GHG Statements related to GHG inventories, GHG projects, and carbon footprints or products. It describes a process for verification or validation, including verification or validation planning, assessment procedures, and the evaluation of organisational, project and product GHG Statements”.
Amend: To Read - ISO 14064-2
ISO CLAUSE/COMPLIANCE
Dates of Public Consultation:
16th June 2025 to 7th July 2025
Please click here to view v1 PFS-IB-032
PFS-IB-036 v1
Principles to be applied by PFS or an approved VVB relevant to validation and verification activities required by PFS Standard Part II
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-040 v1
Protocols for how PFS randomly selects plotting sites for plots to be measured
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v1 still current
PFS-IB-045 v1
PFS Standard consideration of UNFCCC A6.4-TOOL-AC-001 (sustainability development tool) as clear and appropriate
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-402 v1
Surrenders and Cancellations
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-503 v1
Biodiversity and co-benefits consistent with verification to PFS Methodologies Standard
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V1 still current
PFS-IB-504 v1
SB Permanence Rules
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V1 still current