A systematic and transparent approach
The certification scheme is tailored to individual project life cycle stages, and specifically addresses three stages: Preparation, Implementation and Operation.
Any assessment undertaken against the Standard reflects a snapshot in time, documenting what Accredited Assessors find with respect to the performance requirements of the Standard based on the evidence found during the assessment.
Step 1: Assessment
Independent third-party assessments are conducted by Accredited Assessors. The assessment process involves collecting objective evidence from a variety of sources to provide an unbiased and evidence-based evaluation of the project’s sustainability performance according to the performance requirements of the Standard.
There are four main phases for an Assessment: Establishment, Planning, Site inspection and Reporting.
Step 2: Publication and Finalisation
Project Proponent, or the Accredited Assessor on their behalf, submits a Preliminary Assessment Report to the Secretariat to publish on the website for a period of public comment. During this period, the Secretariat will review and confirm that the assessment process and report are in alignment with all certification processes.
Accredited Assessors respond to any public comments, including comments from the Secretariat. The Final Assessment Report is accepted by the Secretariat and published on the website.
Step 3: Application
Following the publication of the Final Assessment Report, the Project Proponent submits an application to the Secretariat for certification.
Applications are submitted electronically using the Certification Application Form. Information submitted in the form must be based on the findings of the Final Assessment Report. Project Proponents will also be required to pay the Application Fee.
Project Proponents can only complete and submit the Certification Application Form after completing Steps 1 and 2 of the certification process.
Step 4: Certification
If the projects meet the minimum requirements of the certification and all process requirements are confirmed as met, the Secretariat notifies the Governance Committee of its intention to certify the project. If no objection or concern is raised by the Governance Committee, the Secretariat issues the certification.
The Final Assessment Report and certification rating will be published on the Certified projects page.
Certification ratings are life cycle stage and time dependent, and dated to the year of certification. The duration of certification for ratings in the Preparation and Implementation stages is three years. The duration of certification for ratings in the Operation stage is five years. After the end of the certification period, the project needs to undergo a re-certification following the same process as the initial certification.
Certification status and labels
A project’s certification status and associated label is determined based on the outcome of the assessment. There are three categories of certification status:
Certified: Projects have undergone an independent assessment and have met the minimum requirements of the Standard, and have received a total advanced requirement score below 30.
Certified – Silver: Projects have undergone an independent assessment and have met the minimum requirements of the Standard, and meet a minimum of 30% of the advanced requirements on each relevant topic.
Certified – Gold: Projects have undergone an independent assessment, have met the minimum requirements of the HS Standard and meet a minimum of 60% of the advanced requirements on each relevant topic.
Standard Assessment Tool
Standard Assessment Tool offers a practical and user-friendly interface to evaluate project performance. Accredited Assessors write down project assessment findings into pre-defined report templates.
Download the Standard Assessment Tool:
If you are interested in getting your projects certified against the Standard, please submit Register Interest Form. Alternatively, you can contact the Secretariat at sustainability@hydropower.org. Before registering your interest, you are strongly encouraged to review the project eligibility and certification process.
To help you get ready for an assessment, please fill out the Assessment Readiness Form. The form can be used as a checklist to prepare you for the assessment establishment phase.