Sustainability Standards
Transparent and accessible information to speed the adoption, harmonization and convergence of standards focusing on environmental protection, labour rights, business ethics and more.
What we do
Working with over 250 standard setting organizations, private and public sector organizations and civil society to map the landscape of sustainability standards providing transparent and neutral information and leveraging this information to promote the adoption of sustainable production, consumption and trade.
Why we do it
MSMEs are disproportionately impacted when required to comply with complex environmental or social and labour standards to access international markets. Many MSMEs lack the necessary capacity and resources to manage sustainability risks and realize the opportunities. To change their production and business practices, MSMEs need tools and targeted guidance.
How we do it
Providing the world’s largest pool of information with trusted and neutral information about sustainability standards and provision of benchmarking and additional services to retailers, national public procurement and standard setting organizations.
What we focus on
Helping MSMEs to implement socially sustainable business practices to increase their competitiveness and reduce adverse business risks and unethical labour practices.
Transparency
Enhancing transparency and understanding of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), codes of conduct and audit protocols since 2009
UNSDG Mapping
Mapping overlaps and disconnects between sustainability standards and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development
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Responsible Sourcing
Enabling closer integration of supplier sustainability data with multiple brands and retailers reducing reporting costs driving the uptake
Benchmarking
Engaging with governments and national standards organizations to use benchmarking tools and methodologies and supporting alignment
Harmonization
Driving convergence and working with standards organizations to build commonalities rather than developing parallel solutions
Standards Map:
Your roadmap to sustainable trade
A free tool to find transparent information and discover trends on standards for environmental protection, labour rights, business ethics and more.
Learn about 300 standards
Identify standards by different criteria
Explore and compare standards
Evaluate the market trends
Connect with sustainable enterprises
Assess your business online
Improve your business sustainability
Go to Standards Map
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Selected projects
More in our portfolio
eco.business Fund Sustainability Standards Self-Assessment Tool
The eco.business Fund and the International Trade Centre have joined forces to enable businesses assess compliance against sustainability standards and potentially access preferential bank loans based on their sustainability score
Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Equivalency Tool
Making it easier to source sustainable flowers and plants by 2020.
LBCS Colombia – Basic Guidelines for Sustainable Cocoa
Working hand in hand with producers in Peru in order to enhance sustainable good practices, for the international market.