Q42. How are emissions data verified?

A42. EPA verifies the data submitted. EPA does not require third party verification.  Prior to EPA verification, reporters are required to self-certify the data they submit to EPA.  In selecting the approach to emissions verification, EPA reviewed all of the comments, as well as emissions verification requirements and procedures under a number of existing EPA regulatory programs and domestic and international greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting programs.  We decided to retain the self certification with EPA verification approach because it provides greater assurance of accuracy and impartiality than self-certification without verification, and has a number of advantages over third party verification for this type of Federal program.  We determined that the combination of comprehensive electronic review and a flexible and adaptive program of on-site auditing will enable EPA to effectively target verification resources while also providing the necessary consistency and quality in the data.