# How does a Verra project change hands when the factory or the developer changes?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/verra-change-of-project-owner-accession-release

The new entity signs a deed of accession and the leaving proponent is released by a partial release deed signed by it, any remaining proponents and Verra. The new entity must show its right to operate and its right to the reductions, Verra does a first review, and the verifier tests the evidence at the next verification.

## One owner leaving, another joining (section 7.2.1(3))

1. The leaving project proponent and the new entity sign an accession representation, prepared from Verra's template and executed under local law and the company's own constitutional documents.
2. The leaving proponent, the remaining proponents and Verra sign a partial release representation. With a single proponent, the original proponent is released and the other entity accedes, both using the templates.
3. The leaving proponent gives the Verra Registry the new entity's registry account name and identification number.
4. The new entity gives Verra evidence of its right to operate and its right to the reductions and removals under section 3.6 of the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). Verra does a preliminary review to decide whether the change can go ahead.
5. A validation and verification body (VVB) assesses that evidence at the next verification.

## What the leaving party stays bound by

A released project proponent continues to be bound by the representations and warranties it made or gave while it was a proponent. Every entity that joins goes through Verra's compliance screening and clearance first (7.2.2).

## If the partner will not sign

Where a proponent will not enter a release because of a legal dispute, or does not respond, the others may ask Verra to waive that signature. They must show that formal legal action has begun through arbitration or the courts, give a legal opinion on the dispute, and show the right to operate and the right to the reductions. Verra lets the disputed party furnish evidence it should stay. If it does not, the remaining proponents give Verra an indemnity for remaining obligations and liabilities.

## A checklist before a sale of the plant

- Put the right to the reductions in the sale agreement, with who signs the deeds and when.
- Have the buyer open a Verra Registry account first.
- Collect proof of right to operate for the VVB to test, for example ownership or lease papers for the site and equipment (our suggestion).

## What Senseible does here

Senseible is not part of Verra's process. Its in-house check is not an accredited third-party verification.

- [Proving right to operate and right to reductions](https://senseible.earth/answers/verra-right-to-operate-and-right-to-reductions-proof)
- [A project owner that has been wound up](https://senseible.earth/answers/verra-project-owner-wound-up-new-entity)
- [Naming an authorised representative](https://senseible.earth/answers/verra-authorised-representative-communications-agreement)
- [Carbon credits](https://senseible.earth/carbon-credits)

Sources: [Verra, VCS Registration and Issuance Process v5.0 (16 December 2025)](https://verra.org/documents/registration-and-issuance-process-v5-0/), [Verra, VCS Standard v5.0 (16 December 2025)](https://verra.org/documents/vcs-standard-v5-0/)

Last reviewed 2026-11-05. Check the current VCS Standard, Registration and Issuance Process and Program Guide on Verra's site before you rely on this; Verra updates them periodically.