Greenhouse Gas Emission Verifier / Verification Body

Last Update on 04/05/2021

Verifying Greenhouse Gas Emission Reports

General Information

In order to verify greenhouse gas emission reports in the Republic of Cyprus, one needs to obtain an approval as a verifier of greenhouse gas emission by the Department of Environment, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

The term “greenhouse gas emissions” refers to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous Oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) into the atmosphere from sources in an installation.

Every verification body (legal entity) or physical person is eligible to obtain approval as a verifier of greenhouse gas emission, provided that the Department of Environment is satisfied that the verification body or the natural person:

  • has been accredited as a verifier of greenhouse gas emission by a European accreditation body has gained the appropriate experience;
  • has gained the appropriate experience.

A letter/email for the approval as a verifier of greenhouse gas emission can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the competent authority:

Department of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
1498 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel.: +357 22408948/6
Fax: +357 22774945
E-mail: tmesimeris@environment.moa.gov.cy
Website: http://www.moa.gov.cy/environment

  1. The letter/email should be accompanied by the following documents:

    • copy of identity card or passport of the person who will undertake the work of the verification;
    • copy of certificate of accreditation by an appropriate accreditation body of any EU Member State;
    • copy of certificate of experience from a verification body, stating that the specific verifier who will undertake the task has the appropriate experience;
    • copy of certificate of company’s registration (in case of legal entity).

There is no application fee.

The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within two months from the date that the application form and supporting documents were duly submitted.

The approval is valid indefinitely and does not require renewal.

Administrative Action against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative Court against a decision, act, or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such a decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated. However, such a revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

  • ‘Establishing the Greenhouse Gases Emission Allowances Trading System and Relevant Issues Law N. 110(I) 2011’
  • European Directives and Regulations (see “Related Links”)

The approved verifier of greenhouse gas emission report is obliged to comply with the provisions of the Law establishing the greenhouse gases emission allowances trading system and relevant issues (110(Ι)/2011), as periodically amended, and the Directive 2003/87/EC and specifically, among others, to:

  • prepare a report on the validation process;
  • be independent of the operator, carry out his activities in a sound and objective professional manner;
  • use spot-checks to determine the reliability of the reported data and information;
  • take into consideration any effective risk control methods applied by the operator with a view to minimizing the degree of uncertainty.