Standards and Value Chains
Voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) set guidelines and provide supporting services for producing and selling products in ways that help improve the livelihoods of local communities and protect the environment. But the multitude and variety of standards can pose a challenge for decision-makers looking to use VSSs to make a difference.
Agricultural commodity markets are getting more volatile, extreme weather events are becoming more common, and millions more people are facing poverty and hunger. The need to advance more sustainable forms of production, consumption, and trade is as critical as ever.
As awareness of the sustainability challenges facing agricultural value chains has grown over the last 3 decades, so has the demand and supply of VSS-compliant products. There are now more than 400 VSSs operating across the planet. They have emerged to help protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of smallholder producers across different sectors.
VSSs provide manufacturers and retailers with information about the origin and sourcing conditions of a product. They also provide consumers with some assurance of the sustainability efforts taken for their production and manufacturing. Some are international in their scope, such as Fairtrade International, GLOBALG.A.P., and Rainforest Alliance. Others have a local or regional focus, such as Indian-based Trustea, Madagascar Organic, or the African Organisation for Standardisation.
However, the diversity of these initiatives makes it increasingly challenging for stakeholders to stay informed on their utility, performance, and best practices. In addition, many VSSs are created by small groups of collaborating partners, influencing their impartiality. Since VSSs set rules for production and trade, they should ensure inclusive governance from their design to their implementation.
The State of Sustainability Initiatives
Since 2008, IISD’s State of Sustainability Initiatives has been working to advance sustainable and inclusive value chains. We provide credible and solution-oriented research, dialogue, and strategic advice to decision-makers about VSSs and associated initiatives.
Our goal is to help decision-makers use VSSs as needed to support more sustainable production, consumption, and trade. This work includes helping small-scale producers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries access markets and receive fair remuneration.
Learn More About What We Do
Publications
Will the Inclusion of Voluntary Standards in Trade Agreements Lead to More Sustainable Trade?
The use of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) and similar systems in free trade agreements (FTAs) is gaining traction. Will it lead to more sustainable production and consumption globally?
Global Market Report: Soybean prices and sustainability
Less than 3% of soybeans are produced in compliance with sustainability standards. This report unpacks what needs to change to make soybeans a food that protects rather than harms the natural environment.
Measures to Enhance Forest Conservation and Reduce Deforestation
This report outlines and compares various policy measures that Costa Rica, Gabon, Indonesia, Peru, and Rwanda have put in place to address deforestation.
Voluntary Standards and Initiatives for Carbon Management
These two reports unpack the complex landscape of voluntary standards and initiatives for carbon management to help private sector actors reach net-zero emissions.
Webinars
Integrating Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Agreements: Charting a path for sustainable trade
This webinar explored recent trends, challenges, and opportunities related to the integration of voluntary standards in trade policy, with a focus on free trade agreements (FTAs).
Navigating the Landscape of Voluntary Standards and Initiatives for Carbon Management
This webinar unpacked the different types of voluntary standards and initiatives for carbon management and explored companies' experiences in using them to reach their climate goals.
Sustainability Standards and Commodity Prices: How to better support farmers' livelihoods
This webinar explored how standards can better support farmers to get higher prices and incomes and use more sustainable practices amid disruptions in international commodity prices.
South-South Trade and Voluntary Sustainability Standards: Challenges and opportunities
Webinar exploring new research on how sustainability standards can promote trade relationships that protect the environment and improve farmers’ livelihoods in developing countries.
Experts
![Nathalie Bernasconi](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-08/nathalie-bernasconi-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=KsKWhiTx)
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe
![cristina-larrea-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/cristina-larrea-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=0uFFko3N)
Cristina Larrea
Director, Agriculture and Sustainability Standards
![Steffany Bermudez headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-08/Steffany-Bermudez-2020_0.jpg?h=f8c048b6&itok=wjpY9IFa)
Steffany Bermúdez
Policy Advisor I
![Headshot of Sara](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-06/sara-elder-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=oWt3MceF)
Sara Elder
Senior Policy Advisor, Standards Workstream
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Erika Luna
Policy Analyst
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Sally Millett
Communications Manager
![Florencia Sarmiento, IISD Policy Analyst](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-04/florencia-sarmiento-2022a.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=C5TMoHkl)
Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Advisor
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Vivek Voora
Senior Associate
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