Scheme Management and Oversight Services
What We Offer
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems manages SCS-owned schemes along with proprietary standards on behalf of scheme owners.
Scheme Management Services
As the scheme manager, SCS Standards and Assurance Systems oversees the day-to-day management of standards, including:
- Providing interpretations to standard requirements
- Evaluating and addressing variance requests
- Handling complaints
- Managing stakeholder engagement
- Overseeing the revision of standards, including identifying and involving relevant stakeholders and updating the standard and assurance system to ensure alignment with the latest science and industry practices
Oversight Services
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems provides oversight services that support the integrity, consistency, and credibility of certification and assurance programs. Through oversight assessments, performance monitoring, and evaluation, these services help ensure schemes are implemented effectively, transparently, and in alignment with program requirements. Oversight services may include:
- Monitoring scheme implementation and performance
- Assessing certification and verification bodies for consistency and alignment with scheme owner requirements
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, impact, and strengthened program integrity
- Gathering and applying lessons learned from assurance program implementation to inform updates to the scheme, creating a feedback loop that supports continuous improvement, relevance, and program effectiveness
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems works closely with clients to support their needs, providing the technical expertise, impartial perspective, and organizational structure necessary to operate a successful scheme and maintain confidence in its operationalization.
See schemes currently under SCS Standards and Assurance Systems management here.
Contact us today to learn more about how SCS Standards and Assurance Systems can support your scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Scheme Management involve?
Scheme Management includes the activities necessary to oversee the governance and operation of certification and verification programs. This includes managing the process to approve or accredit certification bodies, monitoring and evaluating certification body performance through office audits and witness assessments, and ensuring the continued relevance of standard requirements.
- Who benefits from scheme management?
Certification bodies, businesses, and stakeholders rely on well-managed schemes to maintain credibility and efficiency in sustainability certification.
- Do you manage approval or accreditation of certification bodies?
Yes. The assurance system establishes the requirements, and the scheme manager implements the assurance system, monitoring the performance of certification bodies.
- How do you ensure consistency across certification bodies?
By establishing clear rules in the assurance system and by monitoring the performance of certification bodies and auditors, e.g., via witness assessment, office audits, data analysis, and stakeholder feedback.