The Bettercoal Site Assessment is an established process that has been the only point of entry since the Bettercoal Programme was  launched in 2012. It is the core assurance mechanism of the Bettercoal Programme and the only pathway to achieving Bettercoal Producer Status. 

 The Bettercoal Code is assessed by independent assurance providers, Lead Assessors, who are specialists trained in the Standard. They assess coal producers against the 144 provisions of the Standard and build the tailored Continual Improvement Plans (CIP) that each of the producers work through. Throughout the four-year CIP cycle, assessors review performance evidence submitted by producers and report on the progress, and after four years, the process beings again: producers are re-assessed, a new tailored CIP is put in place and regular evidence submissions and reviews start again. 

Details of the Assurance Process steps can be found on our dedicated page 

In 2026, Bettercoal launched its Desktop Assessment Process providing a new entry point into the Bettercoal Programme which offers earlier insight into Producers' ESG risks and areas for improvement. It introduces a staged Continuous Improvement Plan ahead of site assessments and also serves as a tool to broaden producer participation in the Programme. 

 Bettercoal desktop assessments combine an AI-powered Gap Assessment of policies and management systems with independent Assessor verification. The process includes producer engagement, with up to ten interviews with relevant management and operational staff. After completing the assessment producers agree a to a time-bound Continuous Improvement Plan that is implemented within a time period of up to two years.  

Participation in a desktop assessment is not equivalent to a Bettercoal site assessment. Producers completing the Desktop Assessment Process will be listed on the Bettercoal website as participants in the Bettercoal Desktop Process but will not hold a formal assurance claim or attain Bettercoal Producer Status. 

 Producers will be supported to progress towards site assessment, which remains the core route for demonstrating alignment with the Bettercoal Code. Unless there are significant changes to the company’s operating context, it is only possible for a company to go through the Bettercoal Desktop Assessment Process once before site assessment is required or the company has completed its Bettercoal desktop assessment journey. 

Details of the desktop assessment process can be found in our Resources library.