This report summarizes the key lessons learnt by each of the key stakeholder groups from participation in the ASC Improver Programme pilot. The ASC standards set principles, criteria, indicators, and measurable performance levels for environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. However, producers carry the responsibility to implement these standards at their farms, where smaller operations may have financial or technical constraints.

ISEAL welcomes the Commission's Proposal for a Directive as regards empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and better information. We share the objective that sustainability or green claims in the EU marketplace should be clear, relevant, and substantiated to enable consumers to make more informed and sustainable purchasing decisions.

In 2013, ISEAL launched the Credibility Principles, which provide an international reference for defining the foundations of credible practices for sustainability standards. Since mid-May 2020, we are leading consultations that will expand the scope of the Credibility Principles beyond sustainability standards to a wider range of systems, such as data-based and landscape-based approaches as well as update the scope of the Credibility Principles to reflect current and future trends affecting standards and similar systems.

ISEAL has contributed to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group's (EFRAG) public consultation on the amended European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) exposure drafts.ISEAL welcomes EFRAG's efforts to simplify the ESRS and reduce datapoints while retaining the core objectives of the EU Green Deal. ISEAL notes how voluntary sustainability systems (VSS) strategically algin with EFRAG's ESRS objectives.

This document contains a log of the feedback received on the first draft of the Credibility Principles (V1.1) during the consultation period from 14 May to 31 July 2020, as well as how the ISEAL secretariat responded.

To voice our support for credible claims that are transparent, clear and accurate, ISEAL developed communication notes shared with the EU Council and EU Parliament to outline our key concerns and points of interest.

ISEAL and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) organised an interactive workshop to foster dialogue and mutual learning on trade and sustainability, focusing on concrete pathways for policymakers and stakeholders to leverage credible sustainability standards in trade policy. This one-day interactive workshop brought together policymakers from developed and developing countries, trade experts, multilateral agencies, NGOs, and representatives from voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) organisations.

On 22 July, the European Commission launched a

This document contains a log of the feedback received on the second draft of the Credibility Principles (V1.2) during the consultation period from November to December 2020, as well as how the ISEAL secretariat responded.

This brochure presents a list of critical elements to ensure that comparisons and benchmarking between standards systems are credible

These frequently asked questions are based on those raised during the launch webinar for the revised ISEAL Chain of Custody Models and Definitions Guidance v2. Similar questions were grouped together to reflect the key themes discussed. 

There is a strong need for a regulatory approach that allows for product component and whole-of-product claims.

This document provides guidance for sustainability systems looking to collect or improve the collection of polygon location data. This is an updated version of guidance compiled and prepared by ISEAL and partners in 2020. The content has been refreshed and updated to reflect how geospatial technologies and practices have evolved in the last five years and includes a variety of different polygon collection options and technologies. 

Discussion paper and webinar on landscape and jurisdictional assurance and claims.

ISEAL and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) organised an interactive workshop to foster dialogue and mutual learning on trade and sustainability, focusing on concrete pathways for policymakers and stakeholders to leverage credible sustainability standards in trade policy. This one-day interactive workshop brought together policymakers from developed and developing countries, trade experts, multilateral agencies, NGOs, and representatives from voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) organisations.

Amidst today’s geopolitical turmoil and structural adjustments, it’s crucial to continue supporting businesses advancing their sustainability strategies. Voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) are there to help, with years of experience on the ground and continuously improving and expanding their offer. The International Trade Centre (ITC) and ISEAL organised a joint webinar to discuss the different ways in which VSS deliver value to businesses, and what are useful criteria to determine how credible a VSS is.

A technical submission by ISEAL to EU policymakers on the EU Green Claims Directive: Ahead of the trilogue meetings, ISEAL is sharing its perspective and suggested amendments on the texts proposed by the European Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament.  This technical submission reiterates our longstanding support for the Commission's efforts to introduce more stringent regulations to tackle greenwashing, enabling consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

Corporate sustainability reporting and disclosure frameworks and voluntary sustainability standards and similar systems (VSS) have developed in parallel with clear complementarities. ISEAL engaged ANC Ltd, a consulting team, to explore the opportunities for mutual benefit from collaboration between sustainability reporting frameworks and VSS -- as the area was underexplored and underdeveloped. 

This document outlines the approach taken by the LIA Impact Partnership Pilot project, exploring Impact Partnership Incentives. While Impact Incentives work in a similar way to existing book & claim systems by rewarding already certified producers, Impact Partnership Incentives allow brands and retailers to support on-the-ground Program Partners to help producers transition towards best practices and certification.