SOP: Approving and Certifying Certification Requests

1. Overview of Data Sources

• Qualified Data Source:
  A source that meets Pearl's established criteria for reliability and data accuracy.
• Non-qualified Data Source:
  A source that does not meet Pearl's criteria for automated reliability and requires additional documentation for verification.

2. Process for Certification Approvals

2.1. Logging into the Certification Software

1. Log into the Pearl certification software platform. LINK
2. Navigate to the “Pearl’s Outstanding Tasks” section and sort to “Approvals”.
3. Identify certification requests by their data source type (Qualified or Unqualified) e.g. requester type (Contractor, E-Commerce, Builder, etc.).
4. Approvals should be completed within 3 days of the initial request.

2.2. Approving Requests from Qualified Data Sources (Contractors, Dealers, Builders/Raters, RESNET, etc.) 

1. Reference Firm-Specific Protocols for identifying unique approval conditions for individual firms.
2. Review Customer Data:
   • Appropriate capitalization and spacing in the name/s.
   • Accurate and valid customer email address.
     1. Look for typos, e.g., John@Gmail.con
     2. If “filler email address listed, e.g., do_not_email.com, no@no.com, get@get.com, etc. look to the data table when available for alternative customer email address.
        1. If no alternative is available, clear the bad email address and replace it with the Firm’s Default Email address in the “Send Certification TO” field.
3. Review Certification Data:
   • Open each certification request submitted by a qualified data source.
   • Review all reported metrics and data for each requested asset.
4. Verify Data Appropriateness:
   • Ensure the reported metrics and data align with the specifications and characteristics of the asset in question.
   • Cross-check for consistency and completeness.
   • Common QA Flags and process steps.
   • Conduct random checks of Suntec processed data to ensure they are following the data processing SOPs.
5. Approve Certification Request:
   • If the data is accurate and appropriate, approve the request in the certification software by navigating to the ‘Issue Certification’ tab within the ‘Pearl Admin’ section on the left-side navigation menu. Select ‘Approve’ at the bottom of the page.
     1. Add Comments for Requestor/Certifier as needed to provide additional details or clarifications.
   • If the data is inaccurate or incomplete, reject the request in the certification software by navigating to the ‘Issue Certification’ tab within the ‘Pearl Admin’ section on the left-side navigation menu. Select ‘Reject’ at the bottom of the page.
     1. Add Comments for Requestor related to the missing or inaccurate data, how they can resolve the issue, and any next steps they should follow, then hit Reject.

2.3. Approving Requests from Non-qualified Data Sources (Homeowners, RE Agents, etc.)

Assumptions: Certifications Approval requests that display in Pearl’s Outstanding Tasks dashboard have had preprocessing completed.

Prerequisite for ALL e-commerce requests: Ensure all Asset Update requests have been addressed before approving the certification request. 

1. Review Customer Data:
   • Appropriate capitalization and spacing in the name/s.
   • Accurate and valid customer email address.
2. Review Certification Data:
   • Open each certification request submitted by a non-qualified data source. (E-commerce certification requests are flagged in the certification software by an alert icon next to Home ID.)
   • Review all reported metrics and data for the requested asset.
     • Review Uploaded Documentation:
       1. Ensure all required documentation has been submitted. This includes:
          1. Photos of the equipment showing the model number clearly.
          2. Installation documents or other supporting materials detailing the equipment.
3. Verify Minimum Standards:
   • Confirm that the uploaded images and documents meet Pearl's minimum standards for verification.
   • Check for completeness and clarity of data concerning the asset.
4. Approve Certification Request:
   • Once the verification process is complete and the data meets the required standards, approve the request in the certification software.
5. Request Clarification on Unverifiable Assets (if necessary):
   • If documentation or images do not meet the standards, request additional information or corrections from the submitter.