GUTcert testing procedures (certification, verification, validation)
All audits offered by GUTcert are conducted according to objective, transparent and proven guidelines. Depending on the type of audit (e.g. management system certification, EEG plant assessments or GHG verification), different processes are bindingly applied. Our audit procedures are clearly summarised here – so you know what steps you need to take to achieve successful certification or approval.
An overview of our audit procedures
The GUTcert certification process is based on a system accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). All globally applicable accreditation rules are included, ensuring that your certification is recognised internationally.
Audit preparation
- Compilation of the audit team
- Coordination of the audit programme (procedure, dates, required documents)
Audit implementation Stage 1 (as a document review or on site)
- Review of management system documentation
- Preparation of audit plan for stage 1, if applicable
- On-site audit, if applicable
- Summary of audit findings (stage 1 report)
- Assessment of certification readiness
- Coordination of stage 2 audit
Conducting the Stage 2 audit
- Preparing the Stage 2 audit plan
- On-site auditing of the locations in accordance with the audit programme
- Introductory meeting
- Interviews with managers and employees
- Tour of the premises
- Observation of activities and conditions
- Inspection of documents
- Final meeting
- Summary of the audit findings (Stage 2 report)
- If necessary, clarification of measures to remedy deviations/complaints
Certification decision
- Signature and dispatch of the final audit report
- Issuance and dispatch of the certificate(s)
- Obtaining and evaluating customer feedback
Conclusion
- Signing and sending the final audit report
- Issuing and sending the certificate(s)
- Obtaining and evaluating customer feedback
A detailed explanation of the certification process can be found in AA144_Certification Process.
Certification of individual events
Stage 1: Planning – Audit at the management headquarters
The Stage 1 audit checks whether you have already taken the principles of sustainable event management into account in the planning phase. This includes:
- the development of relevant system documentation
- the creation of a functional organisation
- internal and external communication with the aim of making your event sustainable.
The aim is to determine whether you are ready for certification.
You have the opportunity to obtain a certificate for ‘sustainable planning’ provided that this is confirmed in the Stage 1 audit. This can be particularly useful for larger events with a longer lead time.
Please note, however, that it is not possible to obtain this part of the certification alone.
Stage 2: Management centre and inspections during the event:
The Stage 2 audit consists of two parts:
- On-site inspection
- The audit team accompanies the event from set-up to dismantling and checks how the principles of sustainable event management have been implemented in practice.
- Final meeting
- No later than three months after the event, a debriefing meeting will be held with a focus on evaluation and follow-up.
Certification decision
After completion of the audits, the audit team submits the documents to the certification body, followed by
- Review of the audit documents
- An independent technical review
- The certification decision by the technical committee.
Certificate
The certificate is issued once for the audited event.
However, ‘sustainable implementation’ can only be confirmed after the event has been completed as a result of the Level 2 audit. In this case, you will receive a new certificate confirming both the sustainable planning and implementation of your event.
Certification of series of events
Stage 1: Document review at the management centre, only in the first year of certification
The Level 1 audit checks whether you have already taken the principles of sustainable event management into account in the planning phase. This includes:
- the development of relevant system documentation
- the creation of a functional organisation
- internal and external communication with the aim of making your event sustainable.
The aim is to determine whether you are ready for certification.
You have the opportunity to obtain a certificate for ‘sustainable planning’ provided that this is confirmed in the Level 1 audit. This can be particularly useful for larger events with a longer lead time.
Please note, however, that it is not possible to obtain this part of the certification alone.
Stage 2: Management centre and inspections during the event
The Stage 2 audit consists of two parts:
- On-site inspection
- The audit team accompanies the event from set-up to dismantling and checks how the principles of sustainable event management have been implemented in practice.
- Final meeting
- No later than three months after the event, a debriefing meeting takes place with a focus on evaluation and follow-up.
Certification decision
Once the audits have been completed, the audit team submits the documents to the certification body, followed by
- review of the audit documents
- an independent technical review
- the certification decision by the technical committee.
Certificate
The ‘sustainable implementation’ of your event can only be confirmed after the event has been completed as part of the Level 2 audit. In this case, you will receive a new certificate that officially confirms both the sustainable planning and implementation of your event.
This certificate is valid for three years.
During this period, an annual review will be carried out to check whether the planning and implementation still meet the requirements of sustainable event management, albeit to a slightly lesser extent.
Please note: If a review finds that compliance is no longer being met, the certificate may be withdrawn.
Certification of organisations/actors in the event industry
Level 1: on site at the management headquarters
The Level 1 audit checks and confirms whether you have already effectively implemented the requirements of ISO 20121. The focus is on the following points:
- Structure of project documentation with regard to sustainability-related fields of action
- Formation of a functional team
- Application of management tools
- Internal and external communication
- Procedural specifications and documentation for the planned production and implementation of projects
- Collection of information on optimisation opportunities and deviations, followed by an evaluation of performance.
Interviews are conducted with your management and project managers. In addition, your documentation is carefully reviewed with the relevant evidence.
After the audit, you will receive a tabular report documenting the certification readiness of your planning.
Stage 2: Management headquarters or production facilities/event venues
The main focus of the Stage 2 audit is on demonstrating how you apply the requirements of ISO 20121 in practice. The focus is on concepts, planning and implementation of measurement stands, and evaluation of the results.
To this end:
- Interviews are conducted with your project management, team members and employees on site.
- Premises are inspected.
- Relevant documents and evidence are checked.
- If necessary, individual orders are monitored from set-up to disposal.
Certification decision
Once the audit has been completed, the audit team submits the documents to the certification body, followed by
- review of the audit documents
- an independent technical review
- the certification decision by the technical committee.
Certificate
The certificate is issued for three years. During this period, an annual review is carried out to check whether you continue to meet the requirements of sustainable event management, but to a slightly lesser extent than in the original audit.
If a review finds that conformity is no longer maintained, the certificate may be withdrawn.
ISCC and REDcert certification is based on ISO 17065, which sets out the criteria for product certification. We have implemented these requirements for you in document AA146 and supplemented them with additional certification rules.
RSPO certification is based on DIN EN 17065, but includes additional specific requirements, which are described in document AA158.
Verifications within the framework of EU emissions trading (e.g. emissions reporting) are based on the requirements of the European Accreditation and Verification Regulation. For areas not regulated by law (carbon footprint), the verification procedure is carried out in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14064-3. A detailed description of both procedures can be found in document AA147.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
The approval of providers and measures in accordance with AZAV is based on ISO 17065. This standard specifies the requirements for bodies that certify products. The exact certification process is described in AA144 (provider approval) and AA157 (measure approval).
For inspections in accordance with the EEG, an environmental verifier, preferably one located near you, will be commissioned to carry out the assessment. The environmental verifier will contact you to arrange the mandatory on-site appointment. The on-site inspection can take place between October and February. In preparation for the on-site inspection, you will provide the environmental verifier with some documents in advance. During the inspection, the environmental verifier will take a close look at your plant.
Once you have submitted all the necessary documents to the environmental verifier, your report will be completed so that you can forward it to your energy supplier by the deadline of 28 February.
