Background Image
Mountains

Standard Development Services

What We Offer

SCS Standards develops broad-reaching standards that can help corporations, NGOs and industry associations drive sound environmental, social, and governance business practices across their entire footprint in order to mitigate climate impacts, improve worker health and safety, and benefit communities. We have facilitated the development of standards addressing responsible sourcing practices and life cycle impact reductions related to food and agriculture, water stewardship, climate change, forest management, indoor air quality, mining and jewelry, and biofuels. Our clients have established globally applicable standards for a wide variety of claims, such as Bio-based Material Content, Sustainable Sourcing, Traceability, Chain of Custody, and more.

Request Information

The Value of Sustainability Standards

  • Certificate

    Provides Uniformity and Credibility

    • Standards provide a uniform framework and set of guidelines that make it possible to measure achievements against clearly defined environmental, social and governance goals.
    • Standards developed and managed by a third-party such as SCS Standards provide added assurance to stakeholders, and third-party certification of public claims is the gold standard in public credibility.
  • Certificate

    Supports Impact Reduction

    • Standards can promote high levels of performance and continuous improvement in environmental protection, social/ethical responsibility, corporate governance, and product safety and quality by providing clear direction, encouraging best practices, and identifying important guardrails.
    • Standards aid and reinforce achievements against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Person with Flag

    A Mark of Leadership

    • Standards provide a pathway to differentiate an organization’s accomplishments from competitors in the marketplace.
    • Standards can provide a means to set goals to go above and beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

The Standard Development Process

We follow a well-defined process to develop relevant and credible sustainability standards: SCS-owned standards; proprietary standards commissioned by corporations, industry associations, and NGOs; and American National Standards.

 

  • 1. Inception

    An idea is created. Revisions to existing standards are scheduled to occur at least every five years. Interim revisions may be requested for consideration.

    Submit a Request

  • 2. Evaluation

    SCS Standards reviews the request and determines whether the new/revised standard is in line with SCS Standards' objectives.

    See Our Workplan

  • 3. Creation of Committee

    SCS Standards Development Committees consist of industry, academia, civil society, and user members. The committees serve as the consensus bodies that develop new standards, review proposed changes, and ensure our standards are relevant and valuable.

    Apply to Join a Committee

  • 4. Standard is Drafted

    The standard is drafted. Typically, this is an iterative process.

  • 5. Public Consultation

    The draft final standard is published for public review. Stakeholders are invited to provide comments. The public comment period may vary between 30 and 60 days and may be repeated multiple times if deemed necessary.

    Sign up to be a Stakeholder

  • 6. Review and Decision

    The comments received are reviewed and addressed. The standard is either updated for further review or finalized.

  • 7. Trial Use

    SCS Standards may choose to test the draft standard in the field before, during, or after the consultation process to understand the applicability of the standard's criteria in a real-world setting and test the viability of the standard’s requirements.

  • 8. Standard is Published

    Our Procedure for Standards Development and Modification provides further information on the process.

    View Published Standards

Information

SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc.

2000 Powell Street, Suite 600
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 452-8000