To prepare your application you need to develop and/or update your business systems and documentation, and compete the two-part application form.
Completing an application takes time and effort. To help you get through it we have broken it down into five steps, as described in detail below.
Our Application for Accreditation Guide – ACPs sets out the application requirements, describes how we make decisions regarding applications, and outlines our framework for setting audit regimes and ESC creation limits for new accreditations. You should take the time to read this document.
Online information sessions are also available to help you understand ESS requirements and prepare your application. We are happy to answer any specific questions that you may have regarding the application process or ESS requirements – please contact us.
The five steps for preparing your application
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Step 1: Choose the appropriate calculation method |
Energy savings are calculated using a number of methods designed for particular sectors and activities. You need to identify the calculation method that best suits your activity. |
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Step 2: Setup your business processes and systems |
You need to demonstrate that you will have business processes and systems for managing your proposed activity. For example, you will need to have:
Our guidance documents describe the ESS requirements so that you can set up your business processes and systems. Table 1 below provides links to our general guidance documents. You also need to consider what you would do with the energy savings certificates that you create. It is up to you to determine how you will participate in the certificate market. You may need to withhold or set-aside a percentage of registered ESCs from sale or trade until the validity of the ESCs have been confirmed through an audit. For more information, see our Fact Sheet – Undertakings. |
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Step 3: Prepare your business documentation |
You need to prepare documentation for your proposed activity. For example, some of the documents that you may need to develop include, but are not limited to:
You may also need to prepare and obtain documentation about your business, such as:
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Step 4: Complete the application form |
You need to complete the application form which has two parts:
The information you provide in the application form must be sufficiently detailed and consistent with your supporting documentation. |
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Step 5: Check your documents are accurate and complete |
Before you submit your application, check that all required sections of the application form have been completed and that all documentation is complete and accurate. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of your quality assurance processes. |
Make sure you have the latest version of our guidance documents.
Below are links to the latest versions of the guidance documents you will need to prepare your application.
The ESS requirements change from time and time. We regularly update our guidance documents to reflect changes to the ESS legislation, clarify requirements or in response to identified compliance issues.
We will assess your application in accordance with current ESS requirements. Sometimes these requirements change during your application process. If this occurs, we will ask you to provide information about how you will comply with any new or changed requirements.
Links to your Application for Accreditation Form - Part A
This table provides links to the guides that will assist you with understanding the ESS requirements and preparing your application for accreditation.
Table 1
| Document name | Description |
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Application form for accreditation as an ACP for applicants that are new to the ESS. This includes applicants that, if accredited, would be considered a ‘Related ACP’ of another ACP (for example, where you share the same office holders, are controlled by the same entity, or use the same staff – refer to the ACP Compliance Guide). |
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Application form for accreditation as an ACP for current ACPs that are applying for another accreditation. |
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Describes the ESS requirements for applications for accreditation. |
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Describes general ESS requirements that apply to all ACPs, irrespective of the method for which they are accredited. |
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Describes the ESS requirements for ACPs to retain records and evidence of their energy savings activities. |
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Describes the ESS requirements of conduct for ACPs and their representatives. |
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Describes set-aside undertakings that we require all applicants for undertakings to give. |
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Sets the specific requirements for the creation and calculation of ESCs for each calculation method. |
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Various notices that set out new or changing requirements or important information. |
Links to your Application for Accreditation Form - Part B
This table provides links to the method page, method guide and Application for Accreditation Form Part B for each calculation method.
Typically we accept only one calculation method per application, you may need to submit a separate application to use another calculation method.
Table 2
| Calculation method page | Method Guidance | Application For Accreditation Form Part B |
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Aggregated Metered Baseline - Application Form Part B - ACPs |
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Links to your templates
This table provides links to templates that you may help you prepare your application.
Table 3
| Document Name | Description |
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Templates to help you develop nomination forms. |
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Template to help you develop the RESA delivery process flow chart for your proposed RESA. |