Our certificate validation process is built on a trust-based model, combined with targeted, risk-based verification checks to ensure the credibility and integrity of all sustainability claims.
A trust-based system
We start from a foundation of partnership and trust. When you declare a certificate in your Traceability form, our system initially accepts this information at face value to calculate your Eco-score. This approach empowers you to take ownership of your product’s transparency and the claims you make.
Our verification process
To safeguard the reliability of the Eco-score, we have a multi-layered verification process. While not every certificate is manually checked upon entry, we conduct audits based on several factors:
- Random spot checks: We perform random audits on declared certificates across all users. This standard practice ensures the overall integrity of the system, as any claim could be selected for verification at any time.
- Risk-based audits: Our team may prioritize checks on certificates that have a significant impact on the final Eco-score or on claims that are uncommon. This allows us to focus our verification efforts where they matter most.
- Client requests: If you plan to use your BCome Eco-score for public-facing communication or B2B partnerships, we can initiate a formal verification of your key certificates to provide an extra layer of assurance.
What a validation check involves
When a certificate is selected for verification, our process is straightforward:
- Request for documentation: We will contact you to request a digital copy of the certificate in question.
- Review: Our team reviews the document to confirm its authenticity, check its validity period, and ensure its scope correctly applies to the specific material or supplier it is linked to in your Traceability form.
- Confirmation: If the certificate is valid, the claim is officially confirmed. If it cannot be validated, the claim is invalidated, and your Eco-score is adjusted accordingly.
This process is designed to be efficient while ensuring that the data on our platform remains credible and trustworthy.