Certification

Who is this for?

The Blue Dot Network certification applies to infrastructure projects across all major infrastructure sectors including energy, water and sanitation, transport and ICT. It can accommodate projects at different stages of the life cycle, from planning and preparation to construction and operations.  

Projects developed under a variety of ownership and delivery models (e.g. traditional procurement, public-private partnerships, privatised) can be certified. 

Introduction to the certification framework

The BDN certification framework does not create a new standard, but consolidates and synthesises over 80 international standards and frameworks that are relevant for infrastructure investment. It thus aims to assist contracting authorities and project developers in developing projects that are aligned with widely-agreed and recognised international standards, such as the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment, the IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, among others. 

The framework was co-created by the member governments and the OECD with extensive input from the private sector, civil society, trade unions, and academia. It was piloted on a number of projects to ensure that it was fit-for-purpose across a range of asset types and at different stages in the life cycle. 

The framework is organised around ten BDN elements which establish a shared understanding among stakeholders on the basic dimensions of quality infrastructure projects. Each BDN element contains a number of themes, criteria and project-level requirements.  

Certification BDN elements

  • • Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

    • Alignment with national and local development strategies

    • Job creation

    • Access to infrastructure services

  • • Private sector participation

    • Sustainable funding

    • Competitive environment

    • Risk allocation and mitigation

    • Catalytic finance

  • • Disclosure of liabilities

    • Public financial sustainability

  • • Greenhouse gas emissions

    • Climate risk

    • Climate disclosure

    • Disaster risk assessment

    • Resilient plans and designs

    • Emergency preparedness and response

  • • Project appraisal and selection based on life cycle assessment

    • Choice of delivery model (public-private partnerships vs. traditional procurement)

    • Competitive procurement based on life cycle costs

    • Effective project management, monitoring and oversight

    • Efficient maintenance

    • Technology and innovation

  • • Capacity development

    • Skills transfer

    • Local capital markets

  • • Anti-corruption

    • Transparent procurement

  • • Management of environmental and social risks

    • Meaningful stakeholder engagement with affected communities

    • Biodiversity

    • Pollution

    • Resource efficiency

    • Waste and hazardous materials

    • Human rights

    • Labour and working conditions

    • Community health and well-being

    • Indigenous peoples

    • Involuntary resettlement and land use restrictions

    • Cultural heritage

  • • Non-discriminatory contracts

    • Inclusive regulatory frameworks

    • Sustainable and affordable pricing

  • • Addressing needs of women and marginalised groups

    • Employment opportunities

    • Safety and well-being for women and vulnerable users

Blue Dot award

In order to be certified projects need to fulfil a core set of essential requirements across all 10 BDN elements. The essential requirements are derived from commonly-applied international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards.  

A Blue Dot certification designates a quality project that is environmentally and socially sustainable, robust, resilient, transparent and efficient.  

The certification is designed to incentivise a race-to-the-top by recognising progressively higher levels of quality infrastructure. Projects that exceed the essential requirements either by aligning with more ambitious standards or incorporating innovative practices that generate a strong positive impact may receive two or three Blue Dots.  

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Certification process

1.
Application

Projects submit an application by completing the online application form.  

2.
Self-assessment

Project applicants perform a self-assessment against BDN criteria using an assessment template. As part of the self-assessment, projects submit evidence in the form of documentation and/or data.

3.
Verification

An independent third-party certification entity reviews the self-assessment and verifies whether the evidence supports the claims being made. The verifier may request additional information from the applicant. 

4.
Certification

On the basis of the results of the verification, the certification body determines whether or not to award the project a Blue Dot certification. 

5.
Renewal

Project must apply for a renewal of the certification within five years. Projects that are awarded a certification before initiation of operations must apply for renewal within two years after operations begin. 

How to apply

To be considered for Blue Dot Network certification, projects should first apply by providing some basic information through the expression of interest form.

Applicants considered for certification will be invited to perform a self-assessment based on a template provided by the Secretariat.