Research Guides: Business Ethics: Certification & Standards

Certification and Standards

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or Global Goals, which will guide policy and funding for the next 15 years, beginning with a historic pledge to end poverty. Everywhere. Permanently.
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The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which in September 2000 rallied the world around a common 15-year agenda to tackle the indignity of poverty.
B Corporation
B Labs certifies companies that "meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental standards via the B Rating System."
Ceres Organization
Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. Ceres mobilizes a network of investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy.
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Ceres works with more than 130 member organizations that make up the Ceres Coalition to engage with corporations and help advance our goal of building a sustainable global economy. These members include environmental and social nonprofit groups such as NRDC, Union of Concerned Scientists and Oxfam, institutional investors such as the California and New York public pension funds, socially responsible investors (SRIs), labor unions and other key stakeholders.
Fairtrade International
Fair trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade based on a partnership between producers and traders, businesses and consumers. The international Fairtrade system - made up of Fairtrade International and its member organizations - represents the world's largest and most recognized fair trade system.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The FSC sets standards for sustainable management for the world's forests. Companies must allow independent audits to obtain FSC certification. "Chain of Custody" standards are used to ensure that products contain only FSC certified wood.
ISO 14000
Standards for environmental management from the International Standards Organization (ISO).
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The MSC develops standards for sustainable and well-managed fisheries that minimize environmental damage. Fisheries that are certified through independent audits may then use the MSC product label.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
USGBC works "to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work." Site includes information on the LEED Green Building Rating System.

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