Principles for Credible and Effective Sustainability Standards Systems

ISEAL Credibility Principles

What makes a standards system credible?• Proliferation of standards and labels

• Limited impacts evidence

• Standards users need clarity

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What is essential to deliver positive impact?

• Core values applicable to all standards systems

• Embraced by ISEAL members to achieve intended outcomes

DEKRA (USA)

Society Action Group (India)

GIZ (Germany)

Consumers International (UK)

Nordic Swan (Norway)

Retail Council of Canada (Canada)

Forest Stewardship Council (China)

WWF – Market Transformation Initiative (China)

Royal Ahold(USA)

Rural AdvancementFoundationInternational USA (USA)

Amigos da Terra Amazonia Brasileira (Brasil)

Unilever (Netherlands)

Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (UK)

UNEP (Observer)

Applying the Principles

Peruvian Rainforest © Max Bello | Rainforest Alliance

• Shape global discussion

• Drive improvement in standards systems

• Inform sourcing decisions

• Ensure meaningful comparisons

ISEAL Credibility Principles

1. Sustainability

©FSC

• Clearly defined objectives

• Actions and decisions align with sustainability vision

• Structured to deliver outcomes

Cockle Picking © Marine Stewardship Council

2. Improvement

• Demonstrate and improve impact

• Strong monitoring and evaluation systems

• Continual learning

Measuring logs in Peru © David Dudenhoefer, 2011, Rainforest Alliance

3. Relevance

Colombia © David Bonilla for 4C Association

• Most significant sustainability issues in product or sector

• Reflect scientific knowledge and international norms

• Global consistency and local adaptation

4. Rigour

• Requirements lead to measurable progress

• Consistency throughout standards system

• Accurate certification decisions

Photo © Robin Romano, GoodWeave

5. Engagement

• Balanced and representative stakeholders

• Proactive engagement strategies

• Mechanisms to resolve complaints

Field School, Ivory Coast © UTZ Certified

6. Impartiality

• Identify and mitigate all conflicts of interest

• Increased transparency and balanced representation

• Assurance and governance

Fairtrade Gold © Eduardo Martino, Fairtrade International

7. Transparency

• Freely available information about standard and impacts

• Disclose how important decisions are made

• Organised and relevant to enable informed choice

Photo © Robin Romano, GoodWeave

Photo © MSC

8. Accessibility

Cocoa_IvoryCoast_farmerfieldschool05 © UTZ CERTIFIED

• Reduce unnecessary barriers to uptake

• Minimise overly burdensome requirements

• Facilitate access tocapacity building

Baobab tree © David Brazier, Union for Ethical BioTrade

9. Truthfulness

• Claims are verifiable and not misleading

• Use precise language and allow informed choice

• Supported by robust traceability process

Palm oil processing plant © Bremen Yong for RSPO

10. Efficiency

• Collaborate with or reference other credible standards

• Business model ensures long-term financial viability

• Consistent and resilient systems

Photo © Scott Welker for GoodWeave

ISEAL Credibility Principles

www.iseal.org/credibilityprinciples

info@isealalliance.org