EY ShinNihon Starts GX-ETS Verification Services
EY ShinNihon began third-party confirmation work for the mandatory GX-ETS on 19 August 2026. The move adds assurance capacity for emissions data and raises the need for verifier-ready records.
What happened
On 19 August 2026, EY ShinNihon's Climate Change and Sustainability Services team began confirmation work as a registered verification body under Japan's GX Promotion Act.
The service covers Japan's mandatory GX-ETS. EY says registered verification bodies must assess the reliability of participants' emissions targets and actual emissions. It also offers preparation support for data, evidence, internal controls, review and approval processes.
Why it matters
Japan's GX-ETS moved into its full Phase 2 operation in fiscal year 2026. New verification capacity makes emissions assurance more available to covered companies.
This is not a new hydrogen rule. It is a market signal about the evidence quality that Japanese buyers and regulated companies may expect. Indian producers targeting Japan should keep GX-ETS evidence separate from GHCI, RFNBO and JCM evidence, while linking the records to the same asset and product batch where the rules require it.
What changes for market participants
- Producers should record the asset boundary, data owner, activity data, emission factors, calculation method, review steps and evidence location.
- Buyers should ask whether a supplier's records support the required GX-ETS confirmation scope. A general sustainability statement is not enough.
- Certifiers and verification bodies should keep GX-ETS confirmation scope distinct from a GHCI certificate, an RFNBO certificate or a JCM credit.
HyGOAT implication
Screen should flag missing evidence before a project enters Japanese offtake discussions. MRV should preserve the source, time, owner and calculation logic for each material emissions value.
HyGOAT can map these records to Japan export readiness without claiming that GX-ETS confirmation proves RFNBO, GHCI or JCM compliance. This keeps each scheme's scope clear and gives producers one evidence trail for separate reviews.
Risks and caveats
- EY's release does not state that it will verify hydrogen projects or imported hydrogen supply chains.
- GX-ETS confirmation is not a hydrogen certificate and does not establish JCM credit eligibility.
- The release does not explain how GX-ETS confirmation will interact with a specific hydrogen offtake contract.
Sources
- EY Japan: GX-ETS third-party confirmation services - published 19 August 2026.