The FAST-Infra Label Secretariat is proud to announce that Bureau Veritas has been appointed as one of the official verification bodies for the FAST-Infra Label, a global labelling system designed to evaluate the sustainability and resilience performance of infrastructure projects. Bureau Veritas is a leading global certification body with extensive technical expertise and global presence. This milestone marks a significant step forward in advancing green finance, ensuring that infrastructure developments are aligned with international best practices and subjected to third party verification. 

‍

In a recent interview, Emma Garralaga Arbós, Global Director for Building and Infrastructure Technical Operations, and Jan Hendrik Fourie, Senior Mechanical Engineer for Building and Infrastructure, shared insights into their work as official verification partners of the Label. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, they emphasized that third-party verification is no longer optional — it’s a necessity. "Without verification, projects risk reputational damage and may miss out on sustainable finance," said Emma Garralaga Arbós. “Verification ensures credibility, validates that a project complies with global frameworks and national regulations, and opens access to green bonds and ESG-linked financing.”

‍

The FAST-Infra Label, grounded in international frameworks such as the IFC Performance Standards, provides a transparent structure for assessing sustainability across four key dimensions: Environmental, Social, Governance, and Resilience and Adaptation. In order for projects to receive the FAST-Infra Label, they first have to register on the Application Portal and fill all requirements to be able to earn the FAST-Infra Self-Assessed Label. Bureau Veritas' role involves rigorously auditing the projects’ self-assessed process to validate their claims and enhance credibility.

‍

The first verification will start in South Africa, where two renewable energy projects will be going through the assessment after being granted the FAST-Infra Access Programme, which provides a repayable grant to cover the costs of the verification process. As sustainable finance continues to grow, African governments and developers are increasingly recognizing the label's value in attracting climate-aligned capital. “There is strong momentum in sectors like renewable energy, transport, water, and even agriculture,” Jan Hendrik Fourie noted.

‍

For developers considering certification, Bureau Veritas encourages a shift in mindset: to see it as a strategic investment. “Certification enhances asset value, helps to secure better financing, and ensures long-term performance,” Emma Garralaga Arbós explained. With a presence in over 140 countries, Bureau Veritas stands ready to support infrastructure that is not just built — but it is built to last.