ISEAL updated its Sustainability Claims Good Practice Guide to support sustainability systems across geographies and sectors to effectively develop and manage their policies and systems for credible controlled claims. 

The Sustainability Claims Good Practice Guide has been a foundational document for credible claims-making since 2015. It provides guidance to support scheme owners in the development and management of policies and systems for controlling claims related to their standards system. 

Why a revision was needed

In the ten years since the Guide was originally published, the set-up of sustainability systems and the context in which they operate has evolved. While many of the key principles behind credible claims-making remain the same, the stakes behind claims-making are higher. Sustainability systems continue to play a role in controlling an increasing range of claims types, and in providing the supporting data and systems to do so effectively. Claims are an important tool for securing investment in sustainable practices, but as they fall under increasing levels of public, private and governmental scrutiny, the systems behind them need to be robust enough to instil confidence for all involved. 

The updated Guide responds to the evolving claims context and supports the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems that came into effect in March 2024.

Access the updated Sustainable Claims Good Practice guide. 

The consultation process 

To ensure that the revised guidance considers the needs of all stakeholders, we held a 2-month public consultation and welcomed your feedback and input. 

Please read the consultation draft or accompanying overview of the key clauses within the good practice guide. You could share feedback with us by completing the consultation survey or by using the template for consultation comments.

The consultation ran from 17 March - 16 May 2025. A public webinar introducing the consultation version of the Guide took place on 10 April. Catch up on the recording here.

If you have any questions about the revision process, please contact: 

• Billie Wilcox Brooke, Associate Manager, Innovations – billie@isealalliance.org. 

Thank you for your involvement in creating aligned guidance for credible sustainability claims.