CSI ceases PDD pre-screening service

Updated Process for Pre-Audit, Validation and Verification of the Global Biochar C-Sink Standard. Effective 1st of July 2025.

Good day ,

We would like to share recent updates to the Pre-Audit, Validation, and Verification process under the Global Biochar C-Sink Standard.

The key update: CSI no longer does pre-screening, please submit your PDD directly to VVB (CERES-CERT) instead.

What Has Changed?

1. Global Biochar C-Sink Pre-Audit Requirements

In addition to the EBC/WBC requirements, CSI will evaluate the following additional parameters for producers interested in Global Biochar C-Sink verification:

• Methodology of Methane emissions measurement.
• The producer ensures that the pyrolysis plant either reaches an energy efficiency of 60% or submits a plan to ramp up energy efficiency for CSI approval.
• Declaration of emission allocation: pro-rata approach, where all emissions are allocated to different pyrolysis products - or: all emissions attributed to biochar only.
• Producers’ awareness of the methane emission effects of biomass storage.
• Demonstrated additionality.
• Assessment of whether the amount of biomass consumed by the activities is big enough to have an influence on the local markets and activities.

2. Project publication on the registry

Once CSI has finalized the pre-audit process; the scope conditions of the C-sink project will be set. This status will be visible on the project page in the Global C-Sink Registry, at the following link:

3. First Draft of the PDD Goes to VVB

Once the producer passes the Global Biochar C-Sink pre-audit, they should submit the first version of the Project Design Document (PDD) directly to the Validation and Verification Body (VVB). We recommend looking at the PDDs of other producers published in the Global C-Sink Registry for a better understanding before writing their own PDD.

4. Public Consultation

VVB will conduct a basic evaluation of the PDD and contact CSI to initiate the 30-day public consultation phase as soon as the PDD meets the basic quality requirements.

5. Rounds of Validation by VVB

The VVB begins by validating the PDD, clarifying any open questions with the producer, and issuing findings reports that may require corrective actions or additional information.

6. On-site audit by VVB

To finalize the validation of the PDD the VVB conducts on-site audit. If an on-site audit has already been carried out by VVB, no further audit is required to complete the validation.

7. Issuance of Validation Statement by VVB

The VVB provides the validation statement to the producer after CSI has confirmed the acceptance of the project.

8. Status change in the registry by CSI

The documents are uploaded to the project page in the Global C-Sink Registry, and CSI changes the project status in the registry to “validated”.

These changes will take effect starting July 1, 2025. Projects initiating the pre-audit process on or after this date must follow the revised procedure. Producers who have already completed the pre-audit but have not yet submitted a PDD, must also send it directly to CERES-CERT, in accordance with point 3.

To apply for CSI approval for methane measurement or energy efficiency, or for any further questions or support, please feel free to contact our service team.

Warm regards

Carbon Standards International AG
Patrizia Pschera
Environment and Climate Specialist

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