Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of Eni E&P in its subsidiary Agip KCO with the “Framework for a Smooth Handover”. This procedure sits at Tier 1 of the handover framework and is an integral element to sanction hydrocarbon introduction in a facility/or part facility utilizing the Start Up Verification Certificate (SUVC), supporting the requirements for safely managing the Kashagan EP production system start-up. The SUVC is the cornerstone of the handover process and provides the readiness assurance of achieving a particular Start-Up Milestone within a phased Start-Up Programme. The sign off of this certificate by duly authorized personnel verifies the readiness of facilities and responsible organizations for the introduction of hydrocarbons and enables the sign off of the Start Up Certificate for Introduction of Hydrocarbons by the Top Management Representatives of Project and Operations. The SUVCs have been defined based on the integrated initial start up logic, a high level outline, which is detailed in the Integrated Initial Start Up Strategy. The experience of Eni E&P with the SUVC process demonstrates that a smart application of the SUVC, together with the Pre Start-up Safety Checklist (PSSC), can be used with success for safely managing the sanction of the introduction of hydrocarbons and the production system start-up. The SUVC process can be successfully applied to any oil & gas projects and the related handover and start-up framework to reach a Safe and Smooth Start-Up, with the requirements properly adjusted and tuned according to the project dimension and targets.