VERIFICATION OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
STANDARDS: AUDITING INTEGRITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
A Verifier’s Perspective
Dr. Robert J. Hrubes
Senior Vice President, Scientific Certification Systems
Presented to:
Second ISEAL Alliance Roundtable
Melbourne
June 12, 2009
Scientific Certification Systems
 Provides global leadership in third-party
environmental and sustainability certification,
verification, auditing, testing and standards
development
 25 years of experience
 Programs span a wide cross-section of
industries and recognize achievements in
forestry, green house gas reduction, green
building, product manufacturing, retail,
agricultural production, fisheries, and energy.
 150+ staff, auditors and affiliates worldwide
Sample of Standards Against Which
SCS Audits
What are “Environmental” or
“Social Responsibility” Claims?
 Public or private assertion/assurance
incorporating some sort of environmental
(and, more recently, social) attribute
 Rapidly becoming ubiquitous,
almost literally involving every
sector of business-to-business
and retail commerce
 As “environmentally responsible” or “socially
responsible” lack universal definitions, they
can mean anything and, frequently, nothing
Most Environmental and Social Claims
are Meaningless if not Outright
Fraudulent













All Natural
Naturally Derived
Non-Polluting
Ozone Friendly
Forest Friendly
Environmentally Friendly
Earth Friendly
Nature’s Friend
Anything “friendly”
Enviro-effective
No Chemicals
Garden Safe
Green Solution
Look Behind the Claim; Be Skeptical
 Just what is the claim?




Green
Sustainable
Responsible
Earth Friendly
 Is the claim significant and verifiable?
 Is the claim grounded on measurable, auditable
criteria?
 Has the claim been verified?
 If so, by whom and pursuant to what standard
and audit protocol?
Green Certification – Instantly!
“If you look for GREEN things, if you really care
for environmental change, global warming,
greenhouse gases, recycling, CO2 emissions,
climate change, compact fluorescent lights (CFL),
compost, Al Gore, this certification is for you.
Get your Free GREEN Certificate today and
be part of this fast growing community!”
Bottom Line:
Caveat Emptor
So, What Am I To Do?
Be skeptical. Look behind the label.
 Is there a certification standard and is it
rigorous?
 Is the audit protocol transparent?
 Will hidden or undisclosed tradeoffs
more than offset the environmental
attribute?
 Is it truly an independent, third-party
program?
Image source: BSR, Food and Agriculture Industry Trends Report, October
2007
Credible Environmental and Social
Responsible Claims are:
 Factual – basis for the claim is transparent
(standards-based or science-based)
 Significant – real environmental benefits that
are substantial, without hidden tradeoffs
 Progressive – encourages continuous
improvement
 Independently verified
Verification – Certification –
Conformity Assessment
 These are essentially interchangeable terms
Unfortunately, look behind the
verification assurance as well:
 Not all verification programs are equal; many
are questionable
 Verification of a bogus claim results in merely a
verified bogus claim—or a bogus verified claim!
 Substance, credibility and assurance come as
a package deal:
 A credible claim
 Against a substantive and auditable
standard
 Verified according to an independent and
rigorous protocol with appropriate oversight
Attributes of a Credible Verification
Program:
 Transparency – process for verifying
conformity to a standard is clear and publicly
available: public verification reports,
accessible appeals procedures
 Rigor and Competency – protocols,
substantive due diligence, training, credentials,
experience
 Environmental/Social Significance – it
doesn’t just “dress up the pig”
 Accountability to an Oversight Body –
Accreditation of verification bodies provides
additional assurance
Third-Party Verification Provides:
 Corroborated and measurable
environmental and social benefits
 Opportunities for improvement,
pathways toward greater
sustainability
 Independent review to guide
truthful advertising
 Most credible claims
Example: Trusted Third-Party Certification
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
 Voluntary, internationally recognized forest
management standards
 Developed by consensus, multi-stakeholder process
 Supports biodiversity, protects high conservation
value forests, provides for human benefits, ensures
long-term timber supplies
 Certificates holders must be audited annually
 Certification bodies must be accredited and audited
annually
Contact Information:
Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, [email protected]
1-510.452.8007
www.SCScertified.com