SES, Inc. (SES) is accredited as a validation and verification body by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for assertions related to GHG emission reductions & removals at the project level under scopes 1 and 2, GHG emission reductions from fuel combustion and GHG emission reductions from industrial processes (non-combustion, chemical reaction, fugitive and other). You can view our ANAB accreditation certificate and scope at this link.
Impartiality and Integrity
SES has built its reputation on providing high-quality, independent verification services. We have an unyielding commitment to impartiality in the verification of GHG statements. The value of a GHG statement relies on the competence and impartiality of the body verifying the statement. We ensure the objectivity of our verification activities by reviewing each new verification opportunity for potential conflict of interest at both our organizational and team member levels. SES adheres strictly to all applicable rules regarding impartiality and conflict of interest, including the requirements of International Standard ISO/IEC 17029 Section 5.3.
SES has established a process for managing potential conflicts of interest or risks to impartiality. This process includes an internal review of each project by the SES Director of Carbon Verification Programs and an external review by an independent committee.
SES does not offer products or services that pose an unacceptable risk to impartiality. SES maintains a professional environment and culture that supports behavior from employees and contractors consistent with verifier independence and impartiality.
Confidentiality
SES considers all information obtained or created by SES during the verification process confidential unless such information is publicly available, or when agreed between the validation/verification body and the client, or if the responsible party has disclosed it to other parties. This includes information about the responsible party obtained from other sources (e.g., a complainant or a regulatory authority).
SES will not disclose the source of this information to the responsible party unless the source agrees. SES will not disclose information from a verification project to a third party without the express written consent of the responsible party. This confidential information includes any information that comes into the possession of SES and SES employees during client engagements SES may disclose verification information to certain parties as required by laws, regulations or contracts. This includes disclosures to GHG programs, regulatory agencies, and accreditation bodies. SES will notify the client of the possibility of such disclosures .
As a condition of employment, all SES employees sign a non-competition/non-disclosure agreement in which they promise to maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets and other proprietary information. All employees undertake training in SES procedures and processes to maintain and safeguard confidential information.
Appeal and Complaint Handling Process
SES has an established process to handle complaints and resolve appeals should these arise in the conduct of our third-party validation and verification services. SES will direct complaints and appeals to the President of SES. If the President worked on the verification statement or report being appealed, provided independent review, made the verification decision for the verification statement being appealed or is the subject of the complaint, SES will direct the issue to the SES Corporate Quality Assurance Manager for independent review.
Filing an Appeal
The basis of the appeal should be specific factual, procedural, or calculation errors, and the appeal must be related to a matter that can be objectively evaluated by the person hearing the appeal.
Appeals must provide the following:
- The client’s name and contact information
- A description of the basis of the appeal
- Supporting information and calculations to demonstrate the basis of the appeal
SES will provide contact information for the appeal investigator in addition to a description of our appeal process to the entity or individual who submitted the appeal.
Submitting a Complaint
Organizations or individuals may file a complaint. Complaints may be accepted in writing via email, by phone, or in person. SES will notify the complainant of the receipt of the complaint, the person handling the complaint, and the complaint-handling process.
Complaints must provide the following:
- The complainant’s name and contact information
- A description of the basis of the complaint
- Supporting information related to the complaint
SES will maintain the confidentiality of both the complainant and the subject of the complaint. SES will review the circumstances of the complaint and initiate the appropriate corrective action.
You may submit a complaint or appeal in writing to:
SES Corporate Quality Assurance
10901 West 84th Terrace, Suite 175
Lenexa, KS 66214
913-307-0046
Notice of Outcome
SES will send a formal notice of the outcome of our review or investigation to the company or individual who filed the appeal or submitted a complaint. SES will ensure that decisions on appeals do not result in retaliatory actions against an appellant.
No Discriminatory or Retaliatory Action
The President of SES, or the person handling the complaint or appeal, will ensure that filing of complaints and appeals do not result in retaliatory or discriminatory actions actions.
Use of Logo and Marks
SES does not have a specific logo, symbol, or mark of conformity that is associated with verification of offset projects or entity emissions. SES does not grant permission to clients to use SES’s logo or any other SES trademark as part of the verification process.
SES does grant permission for clients to use SES’s name in factually accurate statements regarding verification of projects. Such statements must clearly identify the verified statements that are the basis for the statement, and clients may not state or imply that SES has verified anything other than the specific GHG statements described in the Verification Reports or Verification Statements issued to that client. The client agrees that reference to the SES verification will not be placed on products or product packaging in a way that may be interpreted as denoting product certification.