About the Certification Process

Verification and Transparency

Because gaining assurance of social and environmental impact claims has never been more important.

Whether to engage the participation of the many suppliers required to successfully deliver sporting events, or to satisfy sponsor’s and partner’s requests for reporting and transparency, using a credible framework provides tremendous support to event organizers. The Council for Responsible Sport is dedicated to providing event hosting organizations with the tools, examples, and independent assurance they need to distinguish their reputation with discerning audiences.

Sport-hosting entities may pursue certification of either an individual event or an entire organization, or venue. To do so, they enroll in the certification program, then use the custom ReScore – Sport’s Responsibility Scorecard application to report according to the Responsible Sport Standards (Responsible Sport Standards for Events, version 5 for single events, and Responsible Sport Standards for Organizations, version 1, for organizations and/or venues). The application then undergoes a thorough verification process, including an on-site visit to ensure the credibility and accuracy of the self-reporting.

In order to qualify for Certification, a sport hosting entity must demonstrate and evidence that its actions, events and properties are in alignment with the Responsible Sport Standards according to the prerequisite (obligatory) actions and certification level thresholds reached by earning points at the criteria-level.

Single Event Certification Level Thresholds

Organization and Venue Certification Level Thresholds

Evidence Submission & On-Site Review

Tracking Project Progress

Certification applicants will create projects in ReScore – Sport’s Responsibility Scorecard, which will automatically populate the platform with the chosen Responsible Sport Standards–either for a Single Event, or an Organization.

Using ReScore’s custom project tracking method, reporters from the Applicant organization will submit notes and evidence substantiating their claims according to the Responsible Sport Standards at the individual criterion-level. Projects are each assigned a Responsible Sport Verifier, who will review all submitted evidence, request further evidence where necessary to prove compliance with the Responsible Sport Standards criteria, and conduct the on-site review.

A ‘project overview’ will always reflect the current project progress and status so that all parties remain seamlessly up-to-date.

Applicants using the Responsible Sport Standards for Events have up to 60 days after the Event takes place to complete the submission of evidence for review and approval, or denial with justification by the Verifier. In the case of the latter, re-submission with updated evidence for consideration by the Verifier is available to Applicants for an extended period of 30 days.

Applicants using the Responsible Sport Standards for Organizations have up to 60 days after their self-determined 12-month reporting period (disclosed at project creation) to complete the submission of event-related performance evidence for Verifier review and approval or denial with justification. An extended period of 30 days for final re-submission of evidence (if applicable) is available to Applicants striving for Organizational certification as well.

On-Site Evaluation

Because there’s no better way to assess an event than to be there in-person, Verifier visits are an essential part of a credible approach to Responsible Sport Certification. Therefore, the schedule for required on-site verification visits is as follows:

• For single events occurring in the same location (city) annually, a site visit is required every two years for the first six years of Certification, and every three years thereafter.

• For single events occurring in different locations annually, a site visit is required each time the event changes location. If the event is hosted in the same location for two consecutive years, a site visit by an approved Responsible Sport Verifier is required in the first year, but not in the second.

• For single events hosted in different locations at intervals (e.g. national or global championships held bi-annually or every four years) a site visit is required each time the event is hosted.

• For Organizations operating events at the same venue(s) within a single city, a site visit to a representative event is required every two years for the first six years of Certification, and every three years thereafter.

• For Organizations operating events in multiple cities and venues, a site visit to a representative event is required every two years.

The goal for these review requirements is to verify that events and their hosts are regularly implementing the Responsible Sport Standards and to further confirm the accuracy of responses by the Applicant entity. On-site visits take place in-person and typically take between 5-8 hours depending on the size and scope of the event.

Recertification

To maintain Responsible Sport Certification, a company must update their ReScore reporting every year, providing up-to-date evidence and documentation to verify their actions, must meet the basic minimum certification threshold for their chosen certification (event or organization) and pay the applicable annual Certification fee.

This process ensures that certified entities engage in a high level of sustained impact, while benchmarking and tracking their performance changes over time.

Public Reporting & Transparency

All Responsible Sport Certified projects agree that their Responsible Sport Report summary will be shared publicly on the Council for Responsible Sport’s website (www.councilforresponsiblesport.org). The Responsible Sport Report is the summary of project scores by category in ReScore – Sport’s Responsibility Scorecard, and the final level of Certification achieved according to the certification thresholds. The Responsible Sport Report contains no criteria-level information.

Certified events and organizations may opt to utilize and share their criteria-level achievements on the Council’s website, or to use data from their projects in ReScore to generate reports for public sharing through their own distribution channels.

Certification Fees

 What does the Certification Fee Cover?

Becoming Responsible Sport Certified is a demonstration of your organization’s commitment to the core principles of the Responsible Sport movement, delivered from theory to action through the Responsible Sport Standards.

As a not-for-profit organization, the certification fee structure represents the Council for Responsible Sport’s commitment to inclusion through accessible pricing for all, from the grassroots ‘fun runs’ organized by volunteers, to the most sophisticated sport properties on the planet. Certification fees cover program operating costs and values that stem from four main areas: 

• Verification – verification of actions according to the Responsible Sport Standards is crucial to authentic certification. Each project is assigned a trained Verifier who is a responsible sport professional. The Verifier works with applicants every step of the way, from project outset to completion, utilizing ReScore, as well as performing the required on-site review as part of their role. During an onsite verification year, the “Event” is responsible for the verifier’s travel expenses.

• Support – ReScore is a custom tool for learning, measurement, tracking and reporting according to the Responsible Sport Standards. By continually adding features and resources, the Council is committed to making responsibility in sport achievable, affordable and practical.

• Growth – part of movement building is spreading the word and getting more groups operating on the same shared values and principles for the common good. This includes the costs of celebrating the achievements of certified events and organizations with creative media placements across platforms that help grow value in the movement for everyone in it. 

• Licensing – part of the certification fee covers the cost you pay to utilize the increasingly recognizable (and hard-earned) Responsible Sport Certified seal of achievement on your brand assets and in your own marketing.

  
  

Responsible Sport Certification Fee Schedule

The Council recommends a 4-year minimum commitment to maximize the internal and external/reputational benefits of being Responsible Sport Certified. Events and organizations shall use their judgement to self-select their position on the fee schedule according to the projected event(s) annual revenue.