ECA's objective was to develop a voluntary conformity assessment scheme for the granting of a C-Neutral seal to companies in Costa Rica. Specifically, it was sought:

1. Develop an accreditation scheme based on the ISO 14065 standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) validating / verifying bodies.
2. Support the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae), as a regulatory entity, in the development of the Country Program for C-Neutrality.
3. To facilitate the optimal development of the scheme and the application of the Program by strengthening capacities and disseminating the principles of the Country Program in different sectors and areas of national activity.

This country-plan started from the premise that a voluntary scheme for the granting of a C-Neutrality seal to companies would drive the market towards a more sustainable production model conducive to C-Neutrality and a low GHG emissions economy. For the development of the voluntary conformity assessment scheme and the granting of a C-Neutral seal in Costa Rica, a methodology composed of several stages was followed:

Stage 1: Documentary study of the experience of other countries with respect to:
• Development of GHG accounting and reporting programs.
• Accepted methodologies for accounting and repurposing at the corporate level.
• Use of verification bodies to evaluate companies' GHG statements.
• Operation of carbon markets.
• International standards related to the GHG issue.
• Documents related to OVA / international accreditation.

Stage 2: Participation in internships, conferences and courses related to the topic of GHG:
• Internship at ANSI, accreditation body for OV / Vs in the EU.
• Course at UNFCCC on its evaluation and accreditation model for OV / Vs. • Ongoing participation of the WRI GHG Protocol on: Development of GHG Country Programs and Training of GHG Protocol Trainers.
• Ongoing participation of the International Carbon Action Partnership on the development of carbon markets in developing countries.
• Participation in different trainings, congresses, talks and trainings at the national level on the subject of GHG.

Stage 3: Development of documentation and preparation of the accreditation scheme (parallel to stage 4):
• Formation of an advisory committee with technical experts from different sectors.
• Development of documentation for the accreditation of OVA / s.
• Teach a course on the ISO 14065 standard, aimed at training evaluators for the accreditation scheme.

Stage 4: Support to the Minae in the creation of the Country Program for C-Neutrality:
• Participation in the drafting of the standard Inte 12-01-06: 2011 Management System to Demonstrate C-Neutrality.
• Participation in the review of the Agreement 36-2012 Minaet to formalize the Country Program for C-Neutrality.
• Participation in the process of design and proposal of the domestic carbon market in Costa Rica.

Stage 5: Dissemination and capacity building:
• Strengthen capacities on the subject.
• Facilitate the start-up of companies towards obtaining the C-Neutrality seal.

1535/5000 The main results throughout the process of which ECA has been a part, and which correspond to the last three years, are the following:

Capacity development and technical criteria at the national level on the subject of GHG, the Country Program, standards and related quality infrastructure, and accounting and reporting methodologies: The quality sector has become a key player in this process. ECA has become a reference and consultation entity on the subject; its officials participate as speakers, explaining the structure and operation of the national scheme; They have the competence to participate in various committees that develop measurement, reporting and verification criteria for other productive areas that also seek to advance towards low-emission development.

Officialization of a national standard so that companies can demonstrate their C-Neurality: In 2011, the Inte- 12-01-06 National Standard was published to demonstrate C-Neutrality, which defines the concept of C-Neutrality through the equation: ERC = 0. Carbon-neutrality has been defined as a state that is achieved through a transparent process for measuring GE! Emissions, when the result of the net calculation of the total emissions accounted for for a period (E), minus the reductions and / or internal removals (R) that are achieved, less compensation (C) is equal to zero. There are several key aspects that characterize and differentiate the Costa Rican scheme from other types of programs:

• The C-Neutrality of the companies must be demonstrated year by year, a reference year is not taken.
• There is a clear focus on downsizing. The company must always demonstrate what mitigation actions it has taken to minimize its organizational footprint, before compensating.
• Offsets must be ex post (carbon already fixed), either through local (UCC) or international credits (VER or CER).
• The inventory or any GHG statement must be verified by an accredited body.