The Standard-Setting Code applies to all standards that aim to have positive social or environmental impacts. It focuses on the standards development process, as well as on the structure and content of the standard.
Requirements on the standards development process include:
- Clearly defining the objectives of the standard and justifying its need
- Identifying affected stakeholders and providing them opportunities to participate
- Having public consultations and ensuring a balance of interests
- Making the standard publicly available and reviewing it on a regular basis
Requirements on the structure and content of the standard include:
- Ensuring that the standard’s requirements contribute directly to achieving the objectives
- Ensuring the content of the standard is clear, relevant to the market and builds on regulations
- Ensuring that the standard is locally applicable, while also globally consistent in its interpretation
- Working to harmonise standards where content or scope overlaps
Download the full Standard-Setting Code.
For more information about the Standard-Setting Code, please contact our Credibility Director, Patrick Mallet at patrick@isealalliance.org
“The most valuable contributions of ISEAL membership for us this year were several aspects of the Standard-Setting Code relating to transparency and timelines. For example, some of the things we are asking of our International Standards Committee have been substantiated and accepted because of their roots in ISEAL requirements.”
-- Alliance for Water Stewardship
