The ISEAL Standard-Setting Code sets the rules for legitimate and effective standard-setting processes, thereby increasing the credibility of the resulting standard. It applies to all standards that promote improvement in social and environmental practices.
Credible Standard-Setting Processes
The Code focuses on the standards development process and on the structure and content of the standard. Key steps in standards development include:
- Defining the objectives of the standard and justifying the need for its development
- Identifying affected stakeholders and providing them with information about the Code development process and how they can participate
- Having public consultations and ensuring that there is a balance of interests participating
- Providing a variety of opportunities and tools (ie teleconferences, meetings, webinars) for stakeholders to participate
- Ensuring a variety of opinions are given equal weight and providing for balanced decision-making
- Making the standard and supporting documents publicly available and reviewing the standard on a regular basis
Requirements on the structure and content of the standard include:
- Having clearly defined objectives and ensuring that the requirements in the standard contribute directly to achieving those objectives
- Ensuring the content of the standard is clear and unambiguous, and that it is relevant to the market and builds on regulatory requirements
- Balancing the need to adapt the standard so that it is locally applicable with the desire for global consistency in its interpretation
- Working to harmonize standards where their content or scope overlap