ISO 14019 Series – Validate and Verify Sustainability Information

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.