The I-REC Code

version 1.9
The I-REC Code
version 1.9

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION 6

1.1 The I-REC Service 6

1.2 Structure of the I-REC Code 6

2. DEFINITION 6

3. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES 7

3.1 A Consumer’s Right to Information 7

3.2 An I-REC is Unique 8

3.3 An I-REC is a Non-expiring Statement 8

3.4 Ownership of an I-REC is Exclusive 8

3.5 Use of an I-REC is Unique 8

3.6 An I-REC is Evidence Based 8

3.7 The I-REC Service is Inclusive 8

4. STRUCTURE 8

4.1 I-REC Participants 8

4.2 I-REC Standard Foundation 8

4.3 I-REC Services 9

4.4 Local Issuers 9

4.5 Central Issuer 9

4.6 Registrants 9

4.7 Legal 9

5. THE I-REC REGISTRY 9

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 2/15

5.1 I-REC Participant Account Records 10

5.2 Production Device and Production Group Records 10

5.3 Registry Users 10

6. REGISTERING PRODUCTION DEVICES AND PRODUCTION GROUPS 10

6.1 Application 10

6.2 Verification 10

6.3 Registration 10

6.4 Expiry 10

7. INTERFACES WITH OTHER TRACKING SYSTEMS 11

8. LABELLING SCHEMES 11

9. ISSUING I-RECS 11

9.1 Evidence 11

9.2 Authorised Issuers 11

9.3 I-REC Volume 11

9.4 First Production Period 11

9.5 Issuing Deadline 11

9.6 Error Management 12

9.7 Relationship with Carbon Offsets 12

10. REDEEMING I-RECS 12

10.1 I-REC Participant Control 12

10.2 Self-Consumption 12

11. I-REC AND RESIDUAL MIX CALCULATION 12

11.1 Exclusivity with a Residual Mix 12

11.2 European Union and Treaty Countries 13

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 3/15

11.3 United States of America 13

11.4 Informal Residual Mix 13

11.5 National Production and Residual Mix Records 13

12. I-REC DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS 13

12.1 I-REC Participant Control 13

12.2 Statement Content 13

12.3 Statement Format 14

12.4 Statement Publication 14

13. CODE GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY 14

13.1 Change Management 14

13.2 Quality Assurance 14

13.3 Production Device Inspections 14

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 4/15

Document Control
Version Originator Approval Date

1.0 C Pooley I-REC Services 01.04.2014

1.1 C Pooley I-REC Services 18.11.2014

1.2 C Pooley I-REC Services 15.07.2015

1.3 C Pooley I-REC Services 12.04.2016

1.4 C Pooley I-REC Services 01.04.2017

1.5 C Pooley I-REC Services 01.05.2018

1.6 C Pooley I-REC Services 24.10.2018

1.7 C Pooley I-REC Services 23.05.2019

1.8 C Pooley I-REC Services 20.08.2019

1.9 J Brawlawsky I-REC Services 14.04.2020

Change History

Version Description

1.0 Initial issue version

1.1 Clarification of relationship with carbon offsets

1.2 Establishing the initial period (CP2015-02)

1.3 Introducing a residual mix deadline (CP2016-02)

Change of I-REC Device Registrar to I-REC Device Verifier (CP2016-05)

1.4 Renaming the Rest of the World Issuer to Central Issuer (CP2017-01)

1.5 Housekeeping changes (CP2018-01)

1.6 Aggregation (CP2017-04)

Co-firing (CP2017-05)
Housekeeping changes (CP2018-02)

1.7 New defined term (CP2019-01)

1.8 Introduction of self-consumption I-RECs (CP2019-02)

1.9 Removal of the option to reserve the right of an offset (CP2020-02)

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 5/15

1. Introduction
1.1 The I-REC Service
The I-REC Service is a global electricity environmental attribute tracking system. It is designed to
facilitate reliable Scope 2 carbon accounting consistent with various international accounting
standards. I-RECs allow all electricity users to make a conscious and evidence-based choice for
renewable electricity, in any country around the world.

1.2 Structure of the I-REC Code

The Code itself is intended to be a statement of principles and a description of how the system
operates at high level. Detailed descriptions of procedures are contained in Code Subsidiary
Documents.

2. Definition
In all cases, the derivatives of the following terms shall be construed accordingly.

Term Definition
Account A data store within the I-REC Registry that is attributed directly to
a single I-REC Participant or Issuer for the purpose of recording I-
RECs within the I-REC Registry.
Approved Tracking Scheme An energy tracking scheme that has been approved by I-REC
(ATS) Services as compatible with the I-REC Code.
Assignment The allocation of a Redeemed I-REC to a specified consumer for
use in carbon accounting for a specified consumption period.
Code Subsidiary Document A document containing the detailed description of an I-REC
(CSD) process which must be complied with by the relevant service
provider(s).
Co-firing The use of mixed fossil and renewable energy sources in a single
Production Device where the fossil contribution exceeds 2% of the
calorific input.
I-REC A verified record of an event of electricity production at a
registered Production Device or Production Group recorded in the
I-REC Registry.
I-REC Device Verifier An organisation approved by I-REC Services to verify Production
Device or Production Group characteristics as part of the device
registration process.
I-REC Participant An organisation holding one or more trading Accounts on the I-
REC Registry.
I-REC Registry The register of I-RECs which includes records of the full lifecycle
of ownership and use.
I-REC Service The global electricity environmental attribute tracking and
reporting system provided by I-REC Services.
I-REC Services I-REC Services B.V., a company registered in the Netherlands and
being the organisation providing the I-REC Service.
Installation A single location of a generation source within a Production Group.
It is defined by a single metering point.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 6/15

 Issue The act of creating a record of one or more I-RECs in an Account
on the I-REC Registry.
Issue Request A formal request by a Registrant of a Production Device or
Production Group to an Issuer to Issue I-RECs in relation to that
Production Device or Production Group against evidence provided
for a given production period.
Issuer An organisation formally authorised by I-REC Services to Issue I-
RECs within a specified country or region.
Labelling Scheme Authority An organisation providing an independent verification and labelling
service which confirms certain qualities in the production and use
of energy.
Production Auditor An organisation which is independent of the Registrant and the
receiving I-REC Participant whose role is to verify the measured
volume in an Issue Request.
Production Device One or more related generation units of substantially the same
technology capable of producing electricity delivered through an
identifiable measurement point.
Production Group A group of generation Installations of substantially the same
technology capable of producing electricity delivered though a
number of identifiable measurement points. Installations
constituting a group can be geographically dispersed, but must all
exist within a single Issuer’s country of service.
Redemption The act of using an I-REC for the purpose of making a disclosure
statement. Redeeming removes an I-REC from circulation.
Registrant The owner of a Production Device or Production Group, or a
person legally empowered by that owner, to register that
Production Device or Production Group to receive I-RECs.
Residual Mix The calculated national energy mix that remains unclaimed or has
not been Redeemed at a notified national cut-off date.
Residual Mix Deadline Date The date when I-REC data for the previous calendar year is
frozen. This date is 15 May each year.
Retirement The default Redemption of an I-REC.
Threshold Capacity The aggregate registered Production Device and Production Group
capacity in a country at which a local Issuer service contract
should be initiated. The current value of the Threshold Capacity is
50MW.
Trade Name Assets A collective term to include all company names, trading names
and styles, trademarks, logos and marketing stylesheets which are
assets of I-REC Services bv

3. Statement of Principles
3.1 A Consumer’s Right to Information
The consumer has a right to obtain full information concerning the origin of the energy he has
consumed.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 7/15

 3.2 An I-REC is Unique
An I-REC is a unique statement representing the environmental attributes associated with a specific
MWh of electricity produced, including any avoided emissions, carbon offsets or similar market
instrument that might be available to the registrant or device owner. Any such attributes may not be
removed from the I-REC and may not be transferred separately from the I-REC. An I-REC cannot be
Issued where another I-REC currently exists for the same MWh of electricity produced. An I-REC can
exist sequentially from another energy attribute tracking methodology such that only one is active at
a point in time.

3.3 An I-REC is a Non-expiring Statement

As a statement of an event, an I-REC is enduring. The eligibility of an I-REC to be Redeemed for a
purpose may expire. An I-REC may be Retired by national authorities for the purposes of calculating
a Residual Mix.

3.4 Ownership of an I-REC is Exclusive

An I-REC can only exist within an Account on the I-REC Registry. Each Account must be registered to
an I-REC Participant or an Issuer. Therefore, only one I-REC Participant can own an I-REC at any
point in time. An I-REC will not be Issued for energy produced under a public consumption obligation.

3.5 Use of an I-REC is Unique

An I-REC is used when it is Redeemed or Retired. At this point the I-REC ceases to be transferable
between I-REC Participants. An I-REC can only be Redeemed once. The use of an I-REC can be
Assigned at Redemption.

3.6 An I-REC is Evidence Based

An I-REC can only be Issued against independently verified evidence of electricity production. If that
evidence is an energy attribute tracking certificate (e.g. a GO or TREC), then that certificate must
have been prevented from further use (i.e. cancelled, retired, or removed from its market of origin).

3.7 The I-REC Service is Inclusive

The I-REC Service is a global energy attribute tracking system. Its objective is to provide a service to
all Registrants and I-REC Participants.

4. Structure
4.1 I-REC Participants
I-REC Participants are the Account holders trading and using I-RECs. They contract with I-REC
Services for use of the I-REC Registry and supporting services. Any legal person or organisation can
be an I-REC Participant unless they are an Issuer or an I-REC service provider for whom restrictive
(i.e. non-trading) participation provisions apply.

The detailed process of becoming an I-REC Participant is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document:
‘CSD01 Registrant and Participant Application’.

4.2 I-REC Standard Foundation

All I-REC Participants are members of the I-REC Standard Foundation. The I-REC Standard
Foundation has a Board which is supported by a secretariat. The I-REC Standard Foundation is the
largest shareholder of I-REC Services.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 8/15

 4.3 I-REC Services
I-REC Services is responsible for the central services including the I-REC Registry, quality assurance
and the authorisation of Issuers. The functions for which it is responsible may be contracted out to
specialist service providers. I-REC Services is also responsible for the development of the I-REC
systems, procedures and governance arrangements. All payments for centrally administered services
are paid through I-REC Services.

4.4 Local Issuers

Issuers are authorised on a country basis to Issue I-RECs in relation to Production Devices or
Production Groups registered in that country. Issuers contract with I-REC Services. Production Device
or Production Group Registrants contract with an Issuer for services. A local Issuer can Issue I-RECs
derived from a national Approved Tracking Scheme.
The detailed process of becoming an Issuer is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD03
Issuer Application’.

4.5 Central Issuer

In order to reduce the impact of market entry costs, a special case exists for countries with an
aggregate registered Production Device and Production Group capacity less than the Threshold
Capacity. They are served by the Central Issuer. When the Threshold Capacity is crossed, the Central
Issuer must pass all registered Production Devices and Production Groups in the country to a local
Issuer if one exists. It is possible for a local Issuer to operate alongside the Central Issuer in
countries where capacity is below the Threshold Capacity.

In addition to acting in the same capacity as a local Issuer, the Central Issuer can also be the Issuer
for I-RECs derived from multi-national Approved Tracking Schemes.

4.6 Registrants
A Registrant contracts with an Issuer who is authorised to Issue I-RECs in the country where the
Production Device or Production Group exists. The Registrant will nominate an I-REC Account into
which the Issued I-RECs will be placed. A Registrant can also be an I-REC Participant. The detailed
process of becoming a Registrant is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD01 Registrant and
Participant Application’.

4.7 Legal
All I-REC documentation is in English and all service contracts with I-REC Services are under English
law.

5. The I-REC Registry

The I-REC Registry is based on a single central registry which can be accessed via the internet. It
consists of two primary elements: a register of Accounts held by I-REC Participants, and a register of
Production Devices and Production Groups. The Production Device or Production Group registration
data can be viewed by public access.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 9/15

 5.1 I-REC Participant Account Records
I-REC Accounts can only be accessed by users granted permission to do so by the I-REC Participant
holding the Account. Issued I-RECs can be transferred between Accounts by the sender nominating
the receiving Account and the I-RECs to be transferred.

5.2 Production Device and Production Group Records

The relevant characteristics of a Production Device or Production Group are stored in the I-REC
Registry. These characteristics are a public record and some may be included as detail in disclosure
statements. Issuing records are stored against the relevant Production Device or Production Group,
but are not publically accessible as they may be commercially sensitive.

5.3 Registry Users

The ability to create and update records on the I-REC Registry is restricted to I-REC Participants
(their Account and reporting areas only), Registrants (placing of Issue requests), Issuers (Production
Device, Production Groups and Issued I-RECs only), and the registry administrator: I-REC Services bv
(create I-REC Participant, Registrant and Issuer records, national production and residual mixes and
general administration). Other I-REC Registry users have view access only.

6. Registering Production Devices and Production Groups

The detailed process of registering Production Devices and Production Groups is set out in the Code
Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD02 Production Device and Production Group Registration’.

6.1 Application
An application to register a Production Device or Production Group must be made to a local Issuer or
the Central Issuer if no local Issuer exists. A list of authorised countries and their Issuers is published
on the I-REC website.

6.2 Verification
If, following discussion with the relevant Issuer, an I-REC Device Verifier is required to independently
verify the characteristics of his Production Device or Production Group, the applicant must nominate
an I-REC Device Verifier. This verification may utilise an official government Production Device
registration system if such exists. A list of I-REC Device Verifiers and their schedule of charges is
available on the relevant Issuer’s website.

6.3 Registration
Once the Issuer is satisfied that the Production Device or member of a Production Group is not
already receiving energy production certificates (including I-RECs) or participating in another similar
energy attribute tracking system, they will create a device registration record on the I-REC Registry.
Registration to another similar attribute tracking system does not prevent registration to I-REC, but
must be declared by the applicant. Registration is effective from the date of commissioning or the 1st
day of the month of effective registration, whichever is the latter.

6.4 Expiry
Registration of a Production Device or Production Group will expire five years from the effective date
of registration. A Registrant must reapply for registration before the date of expiry in order to ensure
uninterrupted Issuing.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 10/15

7. Interfaces with Other Tracking Systems
An Approved Tracking System conveys sufficient information to I-REC Services to satisfy the
evidential and unique ownership requirements of section 8.1. The interface must allow full traceability
of the I-REC back to the originating Production Device or Production Group.

8. Labelling Schemes
Labelling schemes are supported by the I-REC System. The Registrant should inform the Issuer of
any labelling schemes for which the Production Device or Production Group has been accredited prior
to making Issuing requests where the label is required.

9. Issuing I-RECs
The detailed process of Issuing I-RECs is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD04 Issuing I-
RECs’.

9.1 Evidence
I-RECs are Issued against supporting evidence of the production event having taken place. Such
evidence must be independently verified and must include:
• control area balancing authority energy settlements metering data, or
• measured volume documentation for the periodic commercial/legal energy transfer to another
person, or
• the cancelation of energy certificates from an Approved Tracking Scheme, or
• a system of measurement approved by I-REC Services

In some cases it may be necessary to use a combination of metering and energy transfer
documentation.

9.2 Authorised Issuers

I-RECs can only be Issued by Issuers authorised by I-REC Services for the relevant country where the
Production Device or Production Group is situated. Where an I-REC is Issued on the basis of the
cancellation of a certificate from an Approved Tracking Scheme (e.g. a European GO), the Issuer may
also need to be accredited to that Approved Tracking Scheme.

9.3 I-REC Volume

One I-REC shall be Issued corresponding to one whole megawatt hour (1MWh) of eligible production.
Production is measured as that active energy which is available for consumers. The measurement
point is normally at entry to a network. Any remaining production volume may be carried forward to
the immediately following production period.

9.4 First Production Period

The first day of the first production period for which I-RECs can be Issued is the effective date of
registration of the Production Device or Production Group (see 6.3).

9.5 Issuing Deadline

As of the first Residual Mix Deadline Date and for each subsequent Residual Mix Deadline Date,
except where an I-REC is derived from a legislative production certificate within an Approved
Tracking Scheme, an I-REC cannot be Issued for a production period within the preceding calendar
year.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 11/15

 The first Residual Mix Deadline Date is 15 May 2017.

9.6 Error Management

An I-REC shall not be deleted nor can it be changed except for the correction of an error. Where it
becomes clear that an I-REC has been Issued in error, it will be withdrawn by I-REC Services. Where
I-REC Services becomes aware that the provenance of an I-REC is suspect, it may suspend the I-REC
from transfer or Redemption during investigations. I-REC Services will amend the details of an I-REC
when it has been confirmed that such an error exists. No corrections can be made to an I-REC once it
has been redeemed.

9.7 Relationship with Carbon Offsets

An I-REC is a factual statement of an electricity production event. Such events may also contribute to
a reduction in global emissions against a business as usual case. An I-REC cannot be Issued without
inclusion of any avoided emissions, carbon offsets or similar market instrument that might be
available to the registrant or device owner.

In requesting issuance of an I-REC, the Registrant must confirm that they hold the right to any such
avoided emissions, carbon offsets or similar market instruments and irrevocably assign such rights
within each issued I-REC. Each I-REC will carry an identifier throughout its life that it includes the
right to any such avoided emissions, carbon offsets or similar market instruments, and this will be
visible to I-REC Participants.

10. Redeeming I-RECs

The purpose of I-REC is to facilitate environmental disclosure by energy-consuming organisations. In
order to make a disclosure statement, it is necessary to first remove the I-RECs involved from the
market. Please see CSD07 Redemption and Disclosure Statements for details.

10.1 I-REC Participant Control

Redemption of an I-REC is done by the I-REC Participant through his Account. An I-REC must be
removed from a trading Account and placed in a Redemption Account from which it cannot be
returned.

10.2 Self-Consumption
Where the owner of a Production Device wishes to Redeem I-RECs Issued for energy from that
Production Device, those I-RECs can be Issued directly into an Account held by the Issuer for
Redemption.

11. I-REC and Residual Mix Calculation

Most countries do not officially calculate a Residual Mix.

11.1 Exclusivity with a Residual Mix

I-REC certificates can only exist in I-REC Participant Accounts and so the environmental attributes
have already been claimed by a trader/consumer. Therefore, those attributes should not be eligible
for a Residual mix.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 12/15

 11.2 European Union and Treaty Countries
Countries operating energy attribute tracking systems under European Union Directives use the
Guarantee of Origin (GO) as the principal means of disclosure. I-RECs can only be Issued in these
countries where a GO has been cancelled or will be cancelled immediately following issue. On
cancellation of the GO, the energy attributes are not eligible for inclusion in the Residual mix.

11.3 United States of America

The computation of a Residual Mix varies between jurisdictions with some Residual Mixes including
voluntary claims while others do not. The I-REC Service will seek to produce complete Residual Mix
information including relevant voluntary claims which have been independently verified in accordance
with Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD06 Residual Mix Derivation’.

11.4 Informal Residual Mix

In countries where there is no official Residual Mix and there is an I-REC Issuer, I-REC will provide an
informal Residual Mix based on best available information. I-REC Services can give no warranty for
the accuracy of this Residual Mix, but will publish the methodology for its calculation. The
methodology for calculating a national residual mix is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document:
‘CSD06 Residual Mix Derivation’.

11.5 National Production and Residual Mix Records

The I-REC website provides a holding source of national production and residual mix information.
This is an I-REC Community resource which will be built up and updated over time by contribution
from I-REC Participants, Issuers and I-REC Services. This information source is provided without
warranty of accuracy and the data may have no official status. The objective is for the I-REC
Community to share knowledge and understanding of national information to create a ‘best of our
knowledge’ resource such that double counting of non-explicitly-claimed environmental attributes is
avoided and that this information is reported in a consistent and cost effective manner. The
information provided will be moderated by I-REC Services.

12. I-REC Disclosure Statements

I-REC Participants can generate a report from the system which can be used as a disclosure
statement. See ‘CSD07 Redemption and Disclosure Statements’ for details.

12.1 I-REC Participant Control

The creation of a disclosure statement is controlled by the I-REC Participant through his Account.
Energy consumed during the reporting period is entered at the desired reporting aggregation level.
The start and end dates for the reporting period are set on a calendar month basis by the I-REC
Participant. A view of the draft statement is available to the I-REC Participant, but only the final
version will be available as an output. A disclosure statement can be reproduced at any time.

12.2 Statement Content

The I-REC disclosure statement can include all national Accounts held by the I-REC Participant
organisation at the desired aggregation level. Redeemed I-RECS for production periods which fall
within the reporting period will be included. Where there is a shortfall in I-REC certificate volume
compared to the energy consumed and an appropriate national Residual Mix dataset exists within the
I-REC database, that mix will be applied to the shortfall. The I-REC Participant can select the level of
information displayed down to originating Production Device or Production Group.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 13/15

 12.3 Statement Format
An I-REC disclosure statement can be produced in pdf or text file format for inclusion in other
documentation.

12.4 Statement Publication

A disclosure statement is a public report. The I-REC Participant can elect for the full detailed report or
a country level summary to be placed in the public access area of the website.

13. Code Governance and Quality

This I-REC Code and its Code Subsidiary Documents establish the principles and operating rules for
the I-REC Service. They are owned and maintained by I-REC Services. As a tracking and reporting
mechanism, the I-REC Service is designed to be open and transparent in all matters whilst not
compromising commercial confidentiality.

13.1 Change Management

Any I-REC Participant or service provider can raise a change request. Proposed changes are
considered by I-REC Services. Approved changes are incorporated into the I-REC Code and/or a CSD
as appropriate and are normally released with the two scheduled updates per year. Exceptional
changes may be released with immediate effect.

The detailed process of change management is set out in the Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD05
Code Management’.

13.2 Quality Assurance

The operational quality of the I-REC Service is maintained through independent verification. This
includes but is not limited to:
• Assessment of Issuers as part of their accreditation process.
• Periodic systems audits of Issuers
• Initial and periodic review of Production Device registrars
• Independent validation of production data
• Registry monitoring
• Independent assessment of change proposals
• Liaison with other tracking systems
• Liaison with national and international anti-fraud and money laundering authorities
Any I-REC service provider failing assessment or any I-REC Issuer, Participant, or Registrant
suspected of fraudulent activity may be suspended from I-REC.
The detailed processes for quality assessments are set out in the Code Subsidiary Document: ‘CSD08
Assessment Procedures’.

13.3 Production Device Inspections

In addition to any verification inspection carried out during the registration process, the Issuer, a
Production Device Verifier, or I-REC Services may conduct an unannounced control and auditing visit
to the premises of the Registrant/owner and/or the premises of the Production Device. The scope of
such visits will be confined to verification of the data held on the I-REC Registry. Unreasonable
withholding of access to the relevant premises or documentation will constitute a breach of the I-REC
Code and will result in the immediate suspension of Issuing in relation to that Production Device.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 14/15

Copyright I-REC Services B.V.

The I-REC Code version 1.9 Page 15/15