GEO Foundation is a global non-profit organisation whose main activity areas include advocacy for sustainability in and through golf, guidance and standard setting, capacity building and certification. Working in close collaboration with the industry and wider stakeholders, GEO Foundation addresses a gap in the market where cross cutting social and environmental issues for golf are addressed in a systematic way.
Find out more about GEO Foundation at - https://sustainable.golf/
ISEAL Code Compliant designates members who have successfully undergone independent evaluations against the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice in Standards-Setting, Assurance and Impacts.
Please note, all ISEAL Code Compliant members are also ISEAL Community Members.
The ISEAL Code came into effect on 1 March 2024. Organisations that had adhered to the previous Codes of Good Practice were granted an 18-month transition period to align their system(s) with the ISEAL Code. For further information, visit: What is ISEAL Code Compliant.
From October 2025, independent evaluations against the ISEAL Code will commence in accordance with the Independent Evaluation Procedure. ISEAL Code Compliant organisations are required to successfully close an evaluation across the full scope of the ISEAL Code. This can be done through a single, full-scope evaluation or through phased specific-scope evaluations. Evaluations must be completed within four years of the end of the transition period, no later than October 2029, to maintain ISEAL Code Compliant status.
Details on the evaluation schedule will be made publicly available.
As a result of this independent evaluation, GEO have made the following improvements to how they set their standards:
- Clarified the transition (implementation) period of their revised standard
- Provided further information in the Terms of Reference for the revision, describing more clearly the scope of the proposed revised standard
As a result of this independent evaluation, GEO have made the following improvements to their assurance system:
- Reviewed and updated the Oversight and Assurance Management System (OAMS) Overview
- Conducted a management review and assessed the performance of its assurance system.
- Updated the Verifier Handbook to reflect the assessment methodology, including non-compliances and sanctions, and the awarding of certification.
- Updated the GEO Personnel Competencies document to clarify the separation of GEO Certification Ltd. from the GEO Foundation, with no overlap in personnel.
- Revised Personnel Competencies document to outline the qualifications and responsibilities of all certification personnel.
- Updated the Complaints and Appeals Procedure to include oversight and assurance decisions.
- Conducted an internal audit and produced an internal audit report 2023.
As a result of this independent evaluation, GEO have made the following improvements to their M&E system:
- Provided clarification on when performance monitoring, outcome and impact monitoring data will be collected, analysed, aggregated, and reported on
- Updated their website with further information on GEO's M&E system, current set up and plans, and contact information
- Consulted with stakeholders to identify a list of core outcome indicators and metrics
ISEAL Code Compliant members provide publicly available reports that give a comprehensive and accessible overview of a member's system.
ISEAL System Overview GEO Foundation 2022