CHAPTER IIVERIFICATION
Article 17Verification of the correct application of the monitoring methodology
1
The verifier shall check the correct application and implementation of the monitoring methodology as approved by the competent authority in the monitoring plan including specific details of that monitoring methodology.
2
For the purposes of verifying the operator's emission report, the verifier shall check the correct application and implementation of the sampling plan referred to in Article 33 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066, as approved by the competent authority.
3
For the purposes of verifying the operator's baseline data report or new entrant data report, the verifier shall check whether the methodology for collecting and monitoring data defined in the monitoring methodology plan is applied in the correct way, including:
a
whether all data on emissions, inputs, outputs and energy flows are attributed correctly to the sub-installations in line with the system boundaries as referred to in Annex I to Delegated Regulation (EU) …/…;
b
whether data are complete and whether data gaps or double counting have occurred;
c
whether activity levels for product benchmarks are based on a correct application of the product definitions listed in Annex I to Delegated Regulation (EU) …/…;
d
whether activity levels for the heat benchmark sub-installations, the district heating sub-installation, the fuel benchmark sub-installations and the process emissions sub-installations have been correctly attributed according to the products produced and pursuant to delegated acts adopted pursuant to Article 10b(5) of Directive 2003/87/EC.
4
Where transferred CO2 is subtracted in accordance with Article 49 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 or transferred N2O is not counted in accordance with Article 50 of that Regulation and the CO2 or N2O transferred is measured by both the transferring and receiving installation, the verifier shall check whether differences between the measured values at both installations can be explained by the uncertainty of the measurement systems and whether the correct arithmetic average of the measured values has been used in the emission reports of both installations.
Where the differences between the measured values at both installations cannot be explained by the uncertainty of the measurement systems, the verifier shall check whether adjustments were made to align the differences between the measured values, whether those adjustments were conservative and whether the competent authority has granted approval for those adjustments.
5
Where operators are required, pursuant to Article 12(3) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012, to include further elements in the monitoring plan that are relevant for meeting the requirements of Article 24(1) of Commission Decision 2011/278/EU12, the verifier shall check the correct application and implementation of the procedures referred to in Article 12(3) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012. In doing so, the verifier shall also check whether information on any planned or actual changes to the capacity, activity level and operation of an installation have been submitted by the operator to the competent authority by 31 December of the reporting period.