Leading organizations collaborate to promote sustainability assurance through standards and accredited conformity assessment

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF), in collaboration with ISEAL, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Independent International Organisation for Certification (IIOC), IQNET Association – The International Certification Network (IQNET), and TIC Council, is pleased to announce a groundbreaking joint statement on sustainability assurance. This collaborative effort aims to address urgent sustainability challenges by emphasizing the vital role of consensus-based standards and accredited conformity assessment in driving positive impact.

The pressing issues of social inequality, environmental degradation, and unsustainable resource consumption demand immediate action. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are already wreaking havoc on communities, ecosystems, and economies. Recognizing this urgency and also the need for a sustainable future, the 6 signatory organizations have joined forces to advocate for credible and effective sustainability assurance.

Consensus-based standards and accredited conformity assessment are identified as critical tools to establish trust, foster innovation, and drive improved sustainability performance. By providing independent, third-party verification, accredited conformity assessment builds trust and confidence in sustainable products, practices, organizations, and services. The transparency and consistency offered by consensus-based standards enables organizations to compare their performance, identify areas for improvement, and adopt sustainable practices.

This joint statement underscores the importance of global interoperability, recognizing the need for seamless integration of sustainability practices across borders. The joint statement highlights the role of accredited conformity assessment in promoting international trade, cooperation, and harmonization of evaluations outputs. Additionally, the statement emphasizes the major significance of competence, market-ready solutions, regulatory recognition, and scalability in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Together, the 6 signatory organizations pledge to work collaboratively, combining their expertise, networks and resources to implement the joint statement’s objectives in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. By fostering dialogue, conducting joint activities, and leveraging their networks, the signatory organizations aim to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices and deliver tangible impact to businesses and society.

“We believe that through collaborative efforts and robust conformity assessment activities, we can facilitate the transition to a more sustainable future,” said Mr. Emanuele Riva, the IAF Chair. “The joint statement serves as a testament to our commitment to addressing sustainability challenges and promoting credible sustainability assurance.”

“This joint statement is timely. Independent assessments on an organization’s claims around sustainability are needed to strengthen impact integrity in the market,” adds Marcos Neto, Director, UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub.

This joint statement represents a significant milestone in a collective journey towards sustainability. By aligning efforts, the signatory organizations will pave the way for organizations, governments, and businesses worldwide to measure, improve, and enhance their sustainability performance over time.