> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/rainbow-standard-documents/rainbow-standard-rules/version-history.md). # Version history :point\_right: See [Archived Rainbow Standard Documents](/other/archived-methodologies/archived-rainbow-standard-documents.md) for full versions of previous documents
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V7.2 **May 2026** **Additionality:** * Add Common Practice analysis requirement * Investment analysis: * require assumptions and conclusions to be documented, investment analysis to be consistent with information presented to decision makers, and financial indicators used to be internally consistent * create investment comparison analysis option, explicitly differentiate from benchmark analysis * limit financial indicators allowed to IRR or NPV * Barrier analysis: * redefine financial and institutional barrier scope * remove technological barrier option * add information barrier option **Crediting period duration:** add instructions on how methodologies must set appropriate crediting period durations **Monitoring plan:** must include for each monitored parameter, plan for conservatively treating and/or deducting credits related to unexpected interruptions in monitoring **Double counting:** * specify no double issuance within Rainbow Standard * consequences for double counting * require VVB to conduct cross checks across other platforms * add Rainbow double registration cross check requirements * add requirement to prove compatibility with a transition to net zero by reference to the net zero objectives of the host country **Materiality assessment:** in GHG quantification, require processes with small impacts to be substituted by default emission deduction rather than excluded from calculations. **No scheme hopping:** only applies to projects rejected within the last 3 years. Disclosure period of 5 years remains.
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V7.1 **March 2026** **Additionality** * Investment: move IRR calculation instructions from additionality template to Standard Rules * Regulatory: define "upcoming regulations" Specify downward adjustment required for baseline setting Co-benefit reporting must include, if applicable, include any SGD indicators that are required by the host country. Specific standard-level requirement to assess, mitigate, deduct and monitor leakage.
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V7 **Replace V6.2 with V7, linked with Procedures Manual V3.0 release** **Public Consultation: November 2025** * **General** * Eligibility criteria replaced with Principles and requirements * Remove Minimum impact requirement * **Environmental and social safeguards** * Specify all projects must prove compliance with local and national regulations * Strengthened stakeholder consultation procedure, including a required meeting and thorough documentation * New IPLC and FPIC requirements * Risk assessment: any material risk identified must have a risk mitigation plan * Expanded list of risks to assess * **No scheme hopping** * New requirements for Project Developers to disclose if they have applied for certification under another standard or registry in the last 5 years * **Durability** * Renamed from Permanence section * Move risk of reversal assessment to methodology-level, if no material risks identified, no project requirements. If material risks are identified, projects follow risk assessment procedure. * Defined avoidable vs unavoidable reversals * No standard-level minimum durability threshold, methodologies define minimum permanence * Minimum contribution to buffer pool changed to 2%, higher minimums may be determined in methodologies * **Co-benefits** * Require quantification approach to be detailed and publicly disclosed * All co-benefits must be monitored * Removed minimum and maximum limit of 2-4 co-benefits * **Delivery** * New section, addresses the removed Real eligibility criteria requirements * Removed TRL eligibility criteria requirements, replaced with Feasibility * Added requirements for minimum content of Monitoring plan * **GHG quantification** * Added cumulative limit for exclusion cutoff threshold * Strengthened Uncertainty assessment requirements, and approaches to making conservative choices when faced with uncertainty * Maximum uncertainty level/discount factor of >15% * Allow for GWP100 from other IPCC versions, if required for compliance with regulatory schemes * **Monitoring plan** * Specify information to be provided with each monitored parameter * **Baseline** * Moved out of GHG quantification and into new section, Project and baseline scope * Replace Guidance on Avoided Emissions by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) with other best-practice guidelines for baselines (from ICVCM, CORISA, CRCF) * Specify baseline must account for government policies and legal requirements that lower GHGs * Remove substitution and targets alignment, reference these principles in Baseline section **Post-Public Consultation: January 2026** * Remove all mention of carbon “reduction”, in relation to avoidance, for clarity * Update high-level carbon removal quantification equtions and sign conventions
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V6.2 Replace V6.1 with V6.2 October 2024 * Replace DPD and Detailed Project Description with PDD and Project Design document * Revised Additionality Template with new requirements: * Sensitivity analysis * For barrier analysis, demonstrate alternative activities does not face same barrier * Revise ESDNH criteria, minimum risks to consider for all projects
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V6.1 Replace V6.0 with V6.1 August 2024 * New appendix with IT Security requirements * Terminology changes, reflected in the Glossary (notably discount factor and buffer pool)
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V6 {% embed url="" %}
Change log for Rainbow Standard Rules V5.2 {% embed url="" %}
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