Standard Development Services
What We Offer
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems 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 SCS and proprietary 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, biofuels, circularity, and more. 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 .
Contact us to find out more about our standards and how we can help your standard development needs.
The Value of Sustainability Standards
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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.
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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.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can request the development of a new voluntary sustainability standard?
Anyone. Industry groups, NGOs, and organizations seeking credible sustainability frameworks can engage us to develop new or revise existing standards and verification programs.
- What types of standards do you develop?
We develop single-attribute and multi-attribute (environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”)) standards across multiple sectors, including food & agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, consumer goods, and the chemical industry. Each standard is tailored to address the unique sustainability challenges of its industry.
- Can standards be customized for specific industries?
Absolutely. We tailor standards to meet unique sector or client needs while maintaining credibility.
- Can standards be adapted for different regions?
Yes. We can customize standards to meet local regulatory and cultural contexts.
- How long does it take to develop a new standard?
Timelines vary based on complexity, but most projects take several months to a couple of years.
- How much does it cost to have a standard developed?
It depends on the scope of the project. We usually start with a retainer fee to adequately understand clients’ parameters, readiness, and desired outcomes, as everyone’s needs are different. Based on the client’s needs and timelines, costs can vary from a few thousand dollars to $200,000+.