In early May 2009 JAS-ANZ accredited its first Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Body – carboNZero Strategic Business Unit (carboNZero SBU).

JAS-ANZ’s Manager Accreditation Services Kylie Sheehan commented; “carboNZero SBU’s accreditation covers three GHG schemes; carboNZero, Certified Emissions Measurement and Reductions Scheme (CEMARS), and Small Enterprise Certification (SEC).”

“While recognising this is a significant achievement for carboNZero SBU, this accreditation is also a milestone for JAS-ANZ, in that it is our first GHG accreditation.”

“The real beneficiaries of this accreditation though, are those who rely on GHG claims. JAS-ANZ accreditation will give greater confidence to those stakeholders.”

“For instance organisations who invest in implementing GHG reduction schemes, as well as others such as customers who prefer to purchase products or services from organisations that claim to reduce their GHG emissions.”

“These stakeholders now have the added confidence of knowing that GHG claims certified or verified by carboNZero SBU, are also overseen by JAS-ANZ, an internationally recognised Accreditation Body.”

In order to gain JAS-ANZ accreditation carboNZero SBU had to successfully complete a rigorous assessment that covered two main areas:

(i) Assessment of schemes – a specialist JAS-ANZ team assessed the effectiveness of the three schemes. This included examining factors such as whether the schemes were applying recognised standards, and whether the overall scheme design was effective in that it led to an outcome consistent with the objectives of the scheme.

(ii) Assessment of carboNZero SBU (as a Certification and Verification Body) – carboNZero SBU was also assessed by a specialist JAS-ANZ team. This team applied internationally recognised standards to ensure that carboNZero SBU was both competent and impartial in undertaking certification and verification activities for the three schemes.

As with all JAS-ANZ accredited bodies, to maintain their accreditation, carboNZero SBU must undergo regular surveillance assessments.

Introduced in 2008, JAS-ANZ’s GHG program is based on the international GHG standard ISO 14065. As noted above, the program’s aim is to provide greater confidence in greenhouse gas claims. It achieves this by requiring the application of recognised standards and schemes, as well as that verification activities be performed by competent and impartial bodies.

More information on carboNZero SBU.

Information for GHG Bodies interested in gaining JAS-ANZ accreditation.