The International Attribute Tracking Standard
•• A platform for exchanging expert knowledge on tracking and attribute markets
The International Attribute Tracking Standard (Standard) is a set of requirements that ensures the quality of attribute tracking systems is of the highest quality and meets the most rigorous expectations of stakeholders, market parties, and end-users. The Standard defines how various organizations can coordinate and facilitate attribute tracking systems, as well as their associated markets, and be Accredited or proven as compliant with the regulations outlined in the Standard. In this way, the Standard is a reference to the governance document owned by the International Tracking Standard Foundation (I-TRACK Foundation).
The Standard defines how various organizations can coordinate and facilitate attribute tracking systems and their associated markets, be Accredited or proven as compliant with the regulations outlined in the Standard, as well as ensure that affiliated tracking Products (not only electricity but also those beyond the energy sector) are accurately tracked. Although the Standard does not define the Products adherent to the Standard, it ensures that all Products adhere to the same high-quality requirements.
It is our experience that Products like electricity, non-fossil gas, hydrogen, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and other Products that can benefit from an attribute tracking infrastructure, will benefit from the common rules provided in the Standard. The Standard provides clear and concise rules for organizations that facilitate the Product markets for Product Certificates, as well as for the users of those associated markets. And, through the process of Accreditation, all market facilitators are checked to make sure they follow the requirements of the Standard and meet the expectations of the I-TRACK Foundation Board as defined in the Principles section of the Standard. The process of Accreditation is upfront and ongoing. Each market facilitator, for each Product, has a slightly different Accreditation process for which the core Principles are described in the Standard and associated documentation.
The History of the Standard
Before the release of the International Attribute Tracking Standard (Standard) in 2021, the Product Code and the Standard were seen under a single document, the I-REC Code – which, for all intents and purposes, no longer exists. The I-REC Code is now two documents: The International Attribute Tracking Standard and associated Product Codes including the I-REC Product Code for Electricity, I-REC(E) Code. This was done in a way that ensured there was no broader market impact resulting from the separation of the I-TRACK Foundation from underlying market facilitation. This change has made it easier for stakeholders and third parties to engage with the Standard and to ensure that it meets the needs of end-users.
The International Attribute Tracking Standard is most well-known for its implementation of a tracking standard for electricity-based certificates, e.g., I-REC(E). This market is familiar to market players and relevant stakeholders as the I-REC(E) market. To a large degree, this is unchanged. However, over the last few years, we have expanded the ability for other assets to adhere to the Standard and become Accredited products including hydrogen, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and biogas/biomethane which will receive an I-TRACK certificate so as not to create confusion around I-REC for Electricity [I-REC(E)].