Criterion A.11 - Integrity of calculations

Beyond the methodological framework of the candidate tool, it is also essential to validate the integrity of the calculations.

This validation is carried out through the completion of several test cases. Their number and origin will vary depending on the type of candidate tool (internal tool, SaaS solution, organisation- or product-oriented, etc.).

The test cases carried out must be representative of the exercises that candidate tools may encounter, and it will be expected that they yield similar results when the same activity data and the same emission factors are entered into the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet. For each test case, the differences between the results of the candidate tool and the results provided by the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet will be analysed, notably through the evaluation of an absolute error.

Absolute error

The test cases are intended to identify any discrepancies or calculation bugs in the candidate tool. They also aim to determine the absolute error of the candidate tool by using, in the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet, the same emission factors as those used in the candidate tool. The precision objective is in the order of 5%.

With:

• Rabc: results using the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet
• Rcandidat: results using the candidate tool

Criterion

Mandatory	Criterion A.11 - Calculation Integrity
Question	For each test case, does the error exceed 5% when using, in the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet, the same emission factors as those proposed in the candidate tool?
Answer	No, the error is less than 5% for each GHG emission category of the Bilan Carbone® Yes, the error exceeds 5% for some of the GHG emission categories of the Bilan Carbone®, but the justification is acceptable Yes, the error exceeds 5% for at least one GHG emission category with no acceptable justification
Implementation guidance	Error assessment to be carried out with the candidate tool and the Bilan Carbone® spreadsheet by replacing the emission factors in the spreadsheet with those available in the candidate tool, or vice versa.