ISO 53001: A new sustainability standard aligned with UN SDGs

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing a new management system standard, ISO 53001, designed to help organisations align their strategies with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As global challenges like climate change, social inequality, and economic disparities grow more urgent, ISO 53001 aims to provide businesses with a comprehensive framework to integrate sustainability into their core operations. This new standard is expected to be transformative for companies looking to enhance their sustainability practices and contribute meaningfully to the SDGs.

Primary goals of ISO 53001

ISO 53001 is being developed to achieve several key objectives that will support organisations in embedding sustainability into their strategic and operational frameworks:

1. Alignment with UN SDGs: The primary aim of ISO 53001 is to assist organisations in aligning their objectives with the 17 UN SDGs, which encompass goals related to climate action, clean energy, gender equality, and decent work. By promoting a holistic approach to sustainability, the standard encourages businesses to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in all aspects of decision-making.
2. Systematic approach to sustainability: ISO 53001 offers a structured approach to integrating sustainability across all organisational levels, from strategic planning to risk management and performance evaluation. This ensures that sustainability becomes a core business focus, rather than a peripheral concern.
3. Flexibility and scalability: Recognising that businesses differ in size, scope, and sector, ISO 53001 is designed to be flexible and scalable. It will be applicable to organisations of all sizes—from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—and across various industries.
4. Enhancing transparency and accountability: A key objective of ISO 53001 is to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices. The standard will provide guidelines for effective reporting and disclosure, enabling companies to better communicate their sustainability efforts to stakeholders, including investors, customers, and regulators.

Key features of ISO 53001

ISO 53001 will incorporate several innovative features that set it apart from existing management standards:

1. Integrated management system: Unlike other standards that focus on specific areas such as quality (ISO 9001) or environment (ISO 14001), ISO 53001 offers an integrated management system encompassing the full range of sustainability issues. This approach ensures that sustainability considerations are embedded throughout an organisation’s operations.
2. SDG mapping and prioritisation: A standout feature of ISO 53001 is its emphasis on SDG mapping and prioritisation. The standard will guide organisations on how to identify which SDGs are most relevant to their business and how to prioritise actions that contribute meaningfully to these goals. This targeted approach ensures that sustainability efforts are strategic and impactful.
3. Guidance on stakeholder engagement: Recognising the importance of stakeholder engagement in driving sustainability, ISO 53001 will offer comprehensive guidelines on how organisations can effectively engage with their stakeholders. This includes strategies for collaboration, communication, and partnership development, which are crucial for achieving sustainable outcomes.
4. Continuous improvement framework: ISO 53001 will promote continuous improvement in sustainability practices. It will provide a framework for organisations to regularly assess their performance, set new goals, and innovate their approaches to sustainability, fostering a culture of ongoing learning and development.

Development timeline

The development of ISO 53001 follows ISO’s rigorous standard-setting process, which includes several stages of drafting, public consultation, and revision. The timeline for the development of ISO 53001 is as follows:

• Initial proposal stage: The proposal for ISO 53001 was approved in early 2024, after which a project committee was formed to oversee the development process.
• Working draft stage: Throughout 2024, a diverse group of experts from various industries, academia, and non-governmental organisations is working on the draft of the standard. This stage involves intensive discussions, research, and drafting to ensure the standard is comprehensive and applicable.
• Public consultation: ISO plans to release a draft version of ISO 53001 for public comment in mid-2025. This phase will allow stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and civil society organisations, to provide input and feedback.
• Final draft and publication: Following the public consultation phase, the final draft of ISO 53001 is expected to be completed by late 2025, with official publication targeted for early 2026.

A new tool for implementing sustainability strategies

ISO 53001 is poised to be a vital tool for companies looking to develop or enhance their sustainability strategies. Here’s how it will benefit organisations:

1. Structured framework for action: ISO 53001 provides a structured framework that enables organisations to systematically identify, plan, and implement actions aligned with their sustainability goals. This helps companies move beyond ad-hoc initiatives to a more strategic, integrated approach to sustainability.
2. Enhanced credibility and trust: With increasing stakeholder demands for transparency and accountability, companies adhering to ISO 53001 are likely to gain enhanced credibility and trust. This is particularly important in an era where greenwashing—misleading claims about environmental practices—can severely damage a company’s reputation.
3. Risk management and resilience: ISO 53001 will help organisations identify and manage sustainability-related risks, such as those related to climate change, resource scarcity, and social instability. This proactive approach will enhance resilience, enabling companies to better navigate future challenges.
4. Competitive advantage: Adopting ISO 53001 can provide a competitive edge. As sustainability becomes a key differentiator in the market, businesses that are proactive in their sustainability efforts are likely to attract more customers, investors, and talent.
5. Support for innovation and growth: By fostering a culture of sustainability, ISO 53001 encourages innovation and growth. Companies will be better positioned to develop new products, services, and business models that are not only sustainable but also financially viable.

The development of ISO 53001 is a result of a collaborative effort between ISO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ISO President Ulrika Francke highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “As we see with SDG 17 – Partnerships for Goals, achieving the SDGs requires true partnering across all sectors. This partnership between ISO and UNDP brings forth an opportunity to build on the unique contributions of each organisation for a more resilient and equitable future for all.”

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner emphasised the role of the new standard in integrating sustainability into business operations: “By helping to shape new management standards for businesses and investors, UNDP and ISO can ensure that sustainability and the SDGs are not just an add-on to business – they will be an intrinsic part of how all business is done. With better practices, we will achieve better outcomes for business and investors – and better outcomes for people and the planet.”

Rajesh Chhabara, Managing Director of CSRWorks International and a leading sustainability expert, shared his insights on the development of ISO 53001: “The introduction of ISO 53001 represents a major leap forward in how businesses approach sustainability. This standard is not merely about compliance or ticking boxes; it offers a comprehensive framework that embeds sustainability deeply into the core of business strategy. By aligning with the UN SDGs, companies can ensure that their initiatives are not only advantageous to their financial performance but also make a positive impact on society and the environment.”

He further explained, “A key strength of ISO 53001 is its emphasis on continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement. This is crucial because sustainability is a dynamic process, not a fixed goal. The standard encourages organisations to regularly evaluate and refine their practices, which is essential for staying responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities in the sustainability landscape.”

Chhabara also highlighted the importance of the standard’s focus on transparency and accountability. “In today’s world, where consumers and investors are increasingly wary of ‘greenwashing,’ ISO 53001 provides a credible framework for companies to demonstrate their genuine commitment to sustainable practices. This can significantly enhance trust and build stronger relationships with all stakeholders,” he added.