ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

Global voluntary standards for environmental, social, and governance systems.
Reach: 24,000+ standards, 165 member countries, foundational for ESG best practices[1].

Member Countries

165

National standards bodies worldwide[1]

Total Standards

24,000+

Technology, business, sustainability[1]

Founded

1947

Geneva, Switzerland[1]

Certification

ISO 14001

Environmental management system certification[1]

Key ISO Sustainability Standards

Standard	Type	Scope	Certification?
ISO 14001	Environmental Management System	Systematic management of environmental responsibilities	Yes
ISO 26000	Social Responsibility Guidance	Principles and frameworks for social responsibility	No (guidance only)
ISO 37000	Governance of Organizations	Principles for effective, ethical, and sustainable governance	No (guidance only)
ISO 50001	Energy Management System	Continuous improvement in energy performance	Yes
ISO 9001	Quality Management System	Process and product quality assurance	Yes

ISO & Sustainability: Milestones

Year	Milestone	Status
1947	ISO founded in Geneva	Active
1996	ISO 14001 Environmental Management published	Global certification
2010	ISO 26000 Social Responsibility guidance released	Global guidance
2021	ISO 37000 Governance of Organizations published	Global guidance
2025	Ongoing updates for SDG and climate alignment	Ongoing

ISO Sustainability Certifications by Region (2025, est.)

Estimated number of ISO 14001 certifications by region (2025).

ISO Integration and Influence

Baseline best practices: Internationally recognized ESG benchmarks[1]
Operational integration: Tools for embedding ESG into operations and supply chains[1]
Certification & assurance: Third-party verification for ISO 14001, 50001, 9001[1]
Interoperability: Alignment with SDGs, GRI, EU CSRD, sustainability-linked finance[1]
Global impact: Supports Paris Agreement, UN 2030 Agenda, and climate goals[1]

About ISO and Sustainability Standards

ISO develops voluntary, consensus-based standards for environmental, social, and governance systems, providing global benchmarks for corporate responsibility and operational excellence[1]. Key standards like ISO 14001 (environmental), ISO 26000 (social responsibility), and ISO 37000 (governance) are foundational for ESG management and certification worldwide. ISO’s work enables companies to operationalize sustainability commitments, align with SDGs, and assure stakeholders through recognized best practices and third-party verification[1].

Note: All data reflects official ISO and industry updates as of May 2025.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

Countries: Global (165 member countries)
Function: Provides standards for environmental (ISO 14001), social (ISO 26000), and governance systems

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization founded in 1947 to develop and publish voluntary consensus-based standards that facilitate global trade, improve industrial efficiency, and support sustainable development. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO brings together national standards bodies from 165 member countries, creating a unique forum for international collaboration across economic sectors.

ISO has developed over 24,000 standards spanning nearly every area of technology and business operations. Within the context of sustainability and corporate governance, several ISO standards have become foundational frameworks for environmental management, social responsibility, and organizational governance systems.

Key sustainability-related ISO standards include:

ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems): A globally recognized standard that specifies requirements for establishing an effective environmental management system (EMS). ISO 14001 helps organizations systematically manage environmental responsibilities, improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and achieve legal compliance. Certification under ISO 14001 signals a company’s commitment to minimizing environmental impacts and integrating environmental considerations into strategic planning.
ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility): Unlike ISO 14001, ISO 26000 is a guidance standard rather than a certifiable management system. It provides comprehensive principles and frameworks for socially responsible behavior across seven core subjects: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development. ISO 26000 emphasizes the integration of social responsibility into internal decision-making processes and external stakeholder relationships.
ISO 37000 (Governance of Organizations): A newer standard offering global principles and guidance on effective organizational governance. ISO 37000 focuses on transparency, ethical behavior, accountability, and sustainable value creation, aligning closely with emerging expectations for ESG performance and responsible corporate leadership.

ISO standards are developed through consensus processes involving technical committees composed of experts from around the world. This multistakeholder approach ensures that ISO standards reflect a balance of business, regulatory, academic, and civil society perspectives, enhancing their credibility and applicability across jurisdictions and industries.

In sustainability contexts, ISO standards serve several critical roles:

Baseline best practices: Establishing internationally recognized benchmarks for corporate environmental and social performance.
Operational integration: Providing tools for embedding ESG principles into daily business operations, supply chain management, and risk management systems.
Certification and assurance: Enabling third-party verification and certification where applicable (such as ISO 14001), offering assurance to investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Interoperability: Facilitating alignment with other frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and sustainability-linked financial products.

ISO’s work supports broader global sustainability initiatives, including the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement climate goals. ISO standards help companies operationalize high-level commitments into verifiable and actionable practices, making sustainability tangible and auditable across supply chains and markets.