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ISO 14019 Series – Validate and Verify Sustainability Information

Validate and verify sustainability information with ISO 14019 support from SGS.

ISO 14019 is the global standard for validating and verifying sustainability information. With in-depth expertise in ISO 14019 requirements, we can support your journey toward validating and verifying your sustainability information to achieve compliance and certification.

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The two parts of ISO 14019

ISO 14019 part 1: general principles and requirements

ISO 14019-1 specifies the general principles and requirements for sustainability information validation and verification. It covers reporting environmental, social and governance (ESG) and other sustainability elements, and determining the categorization of quantitative and qualitative information. These principles and requirements contribute to the rules and procedures provided in validation/verification programs.

The document can form the basis for validation and verification activities that support other conformity assessment schemes.

ISO 14019-1 can be applied by validation and verification bodies, according to ISO/IEC 17029 (conformity assessment for validation and verification bodies). It can contribute to inspection body schemes, as per ISO/IEC 17020 (conformity assessment for inspection bodies) or certification bodies, according to ISO/IEC 17065 (conformity assessment for certification bodies).

ISO 14019 part 2: verification process

ISO 14019-2 specifies the verification process requirements for quantitative and qualitative sustainability information, including reporting ESG and other sustainability aspects.

The international standard applies to the rules and procedures for carrying out verification by providing elements of a verification program, such as process, evidence-gathering activities and reporting.

The document addresses uncertainty in values and how to address these uncertainties. It also addresses primary and secondary data sources and how they relate to the strength of verification evidence.

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How can SGS help?

We enable you to:
  • Validate and verify sustainability information fairly, accurately and transparently, according to ISO 14019 requirements
  • Meet the verification process requirements for quantitative and qualitative sustainability information
  • Verify quantitative and qualitative information
  • Get expert support for the certification process

Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • The ISO 14019 series contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 1-16.
Why SGS?

We are the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Wherever you are, whatever your industry, our experts worldwide provide specialized solutions to make your business faster, simpler and more efficient.

As a sustainability leader for over 30 years, we offer in-depth expertise in the series' requirements to support your ISO 14019 journey.

To discuss your ISO 14019 requirements, contact us today.

 

FAQs

For quantitative information, ISO 14019-2 details the approach for continuous and discrete forms of data and the evidence-gathering activities that can apply to each. Continuous data can be further categorized as ratio and interval data.

For qualitative information, ISO 14019-2 details the approach for binary, ordinal and nominal data forms and the evidence-gathering activities that can apply to each.

For both information types, verification approaches include assessing data collection, editing, transformation, control processes and numerical techniques that support verifying analytical testing.

With the growing demand for organizations’ sustainability information alongside current and future disclosure and reporting legislation, such as the EU Green Deal and US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Climate Disclosure, validating and verifying sustainability information is vital.

Standards are needed for collecting ESG and other sustainability information, including indicators, reporting metrics and disclosures, and for harmonized approaches to validating and verifying this information.

This validated and verified information can be used for making decisions based on sustainability declarations, such as investments, procurement and consumer choices.

Validation and verification processes and frameworks must be compatible with globally accepted quality infrastructure – standardization, conformity assessment, peer assessment and accreditation. Developing these methodologies as ISO standards will allow all relevant parties, particularly those with existing structures and instruments, to participate.

Standardized specifications for a consistent process for validating and verifying reported sustainability information are needed.

Standardized validation and verification processes, performed by legal entities that fulfill ISO/IEC 17029, can be considered fair, accurate and transparent.

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