The consultation will run from 31 October to 15 December 2024.
Voluntary sustainability systems (VSS) are benchmarked by different stakeholders and for different purposes. But benchmarking practices differ greatly in terms of transparency, robustness and alignment. To bring more quality and consistency to sustainability benchmarking, we published a good practice guide in 2020. The revised guide focuses on VSS and frames the recommendations around the key decisions to be made at each stage in the development of a benchmark of VSS.
We are sharing the draft for public consultation to maximise its value as a free resource for organisations developing and/or using these benchmarks, as well as VSS being benchmarked. Whether or not you have used our current guide, do please get involved in the consultation if you have experience or expertise to share.
Participate in the consultation
There are three ways you can provide input during this consultation:
- Complete a short survey with general questions about benchmarking of sustainability systems. It is not necessary to have read the consultation draft to complete this survey.
- Fill out a technical survey that seeks to gather input for every section of the guide. It is important to have read the consultation draft prior to completing this survey.
- Use this form to submit comments and suggest improvements or additions to specific clauses or sections of the guide. Please email completed forms to maira@isealalliance.org
Please note that we will only be able to consider comments received by 15 December.
Webinar: Benchmarking in the age of regulation
As part of this consultation, we’re bringing together a group of experts to discuss the good practice guide and the role of benchmarking of sustainability systems in the age of regulation. This free webinar will take place on 19 November. Register here.
If you have any questions on the consultation document or the consultation process, please contact Maira Devisscher, Innovations Manager – maira@isealalliance.org