ISEAL is updating 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 Sustainable 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 is 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 will respond to the evolving claims context and supports the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems that came into effect in March 2024.  

How you can contribute 

To ensure that the revised guidance considers the needs of all stakeholders, we will are holding a 2-month public consultation and would welcome your feedback or input. 

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

The consultation will run from 17 March - 16 May 2025. A public webinar introducing the consultation version of the Guide will take place on 10 April. Register 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.