What Makes Sustainability
Standards Credible?
Photo © Rainforest Alliance
In this session,
we will cover:
› Factors that contribute to
the credibility of
sustainability standards
› A process to develop
globally agreed Credibility
Principles
› Introduce ISEAL Codes of
Good Practice
› ISEAL Members and Code
Compliance
Photo © Robin Romano | GoodWeave
What makes a standard system
trustworthy to you?
Photo ©Robin Romano, GoodWeave
Developing Globally Agreed
Credibility Principles
• 1 year process
•Global Steering Committee in place
•Workshops around the world
including India
• Goal is to reach common agreement
on what we expect from credible
standards systems?
•Can be used by governments,
business, NGOS, consumer groups,
finance sector, etc.
Photo © Cotton Made in Africa
13 Draft Credibility Principles
1. Clear Objectives and
Scope
2. Transparency
3. Multi-stakeholder
4. Relevant, Measurable,
Objective Criteria
5. Local Applicability and
Global Consistency
6. Impartiality and
Independence of
Assurance
7. Consistency of
Assurance Results
8. Accessibility
9. Traceability
10. Accurate Claims
11. Complaints and
Appeals Processes
12. Learning and Continual
Improvement
13. Inter-operability
Principle 2: Transparency
Stakeholders know how decisions are made, content is
developed, who is certified, and how one can engage
Example: Social Accountability International
› Operates the SA8000 labour standard
› Provides a complete and updated list of all SA8000 certified
facilities
SA8000 Certified Facilities: As of 31 March 2011
Facilities Currently Certified:
2606
Countries Represented
62
Countries Represented
65
Workers Employed
1,452,970
Company
1Prima
S.R.L.
Date of
Initial
Certification
Country Address of Head Office
12-Sep-05
Italy
Reg. Camporette 2,
17031 Albenga (SV),
Italy; REG. BOTTINO 5
17031 ALBENGA (SV)
ITALIA E CANTIERI
OPERATIVI, Italy
Address of
other
locations, if
multiple site Scope
Industry
Cert.
Body
Construction, Maintenance Construction RINA
And Restructuring Of
Roads And Complementary
Works. Special Structural
Works. River Defence,
Hydraulic Layout And
Reclamation Works.
Principle 3: Multi-stakeholder
A balanced and representative group in governance, standard
development, certification, and monitoring
Example: Forest Stewardship Council
› Decisions made by elected Board and full membership at a
triennial Congress
› Six membership categories
› Membership categories weighted and have a North-South split
Continued...
Example: Forest Stewardship
Council
› Stakeholders feel
represented
› Strengthens acceptance of
FSC
› Structure allows for issues,
not procedures focus
Photo © Rainforest Alliance
Principle 5: Local Applicability and Global
Consistency
Relevance for specific socio-economic and ecological contexts,
but can achieve equivalent results across them.
Example: Rainforest Alliance/ Sustainable Agriculture Network
› Generic standard for 100 crops
› Local interpretation guidelines
• Local conditions
• Specific crops
› Local workgroups create them
› Secretariat coordinates and approves final versions
Principle 8: Accessibility
No discrimination on basis of cost, no restrictions on access,
and no overly burdensome requirements.
Example: The 4C Association
› Sliding scale membership fees
› Small-scale producers pay only €7.50
› Accessible to huge number of growers
› Equal representation in decision bodies
› Verification fully paid by fees
Roadmaps to global recognition of good
practice and improved impact
ISEAL Codes of Good Practice
› Standard-Setting Code
(2004)
› Impacts Code (2010)
› Assurance Code (2012)
› Current Scoping for a code
on Claims and Labelling
› Governance?
Referencing ISEAL Codes
Members of the ISEAL Alliance
Any Questions?
Photo © Robin Romano | GoodWeave