Standard Setting
The ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards is an international, normative document that is applicable to all social and environmental standards and to which all ISEAL Full Members comply.
If you are currently developing a new social or environmental standard we recommend that you refer to this Code of Good Practice. You may also like to consider becoming an Associate or Affiliate member of the ISEAL Alliance in order to benefit further from existing work in this area. Find out more in the Membership section.
Read the ISEAL Standard-Setting Code online, or browse the documents section to download a pdf with accompanying guidance notes.
Reviews
The Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards undergoes a formal review every three years. A revision process is currently ongoing. Please see the consultation section for details.
References
Not only ISEAL Alliance members use the ISEAL Standard-Setting Code. The following organisations have notified ISEAL of their use of the Code to develop a social or environmental standard:
The Code is also being referenced by a range of governmental and inter-governmental guidelines as an acceptable measure of credibility for recognising voluntary standards. Recent references to the Code include:
The DEFRA Review of sustainable commodities (2006) recommends:
There are a huge number of voluntary initiatives, which can cause confusion and reduce effectiveness. The UK Government could usefully examine the benefits of requiring voluntary initiatives to comply with internationally recognised principles for standards development as outlined under the TBT Agreement Code of Good Practice, ISEAL Code of Good Practice and/or ISO norms.
Testimonials
Richard Howitt, MEP, Spokesperson for the European Parliament on Corporate Social Responsibility
“The ISEAL Alliance is a leading example of collaboration between labelling initiatives. Its members’ compliance with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice gives a clear sign to both governments and industry that these initiatives are the leaders in the field, backed by credible standards and capable of delivering genuine social and environmental change.”
www.richardhowittmep.com
Simon Zadek, Chief Executive, Accountability
“AccountAbility is hugely pleased that the ISEAL Code of Good Practice has been developed because it is our firm belief that good governance in tomorrow's standards institutions is the single most important thing in ensuring that the business community – and indeed the broader organisational community – gets sustainability right.”
www.accountability21.net
Matthew Wenban-Smith, Director, OneWorldStandards Ltd
"The ISEAL Code of Good Practice incorporates and builds on the applicable ISO guidance, and ensures compatibility with the strictures of the WTO TBT agreement. For standard setters compliance with the Code of Good Practice ensures credible standards development processes. For standard users, it offers reassurance that the resulting standards will have the support of the major stakeholders".
www.oneworldstandards.com
Dr. Johannes Merck, Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry
‘Cotton made in Africa’ has an ambitious goal – to establish a demand alliance among retail companies for African cotton, which is produced by more than 100,000 small-scale farmers and their families. The main objectives of the project are to establish a sustainable cotton production, addressing social and environmental practices and at the meantime not placing excessive burdens on the producers. Our aim is to create long-term and reliable incomes for African cotton producers while at the same time improving the environmental situation.
Standard-setting and verification are key elements of our project. We want to ensure transparency and credibility along the cotton value chain. In this, the ISEAL Alliance Code of Good Practice is providing us with sound reference on how to shape these processes.
www.cottonmadeinafrica.org
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