ISEAL Codes of Good Practice

Last updated: 2014

ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice provide a globally recognised framework, defining practices for effective and credible sustainability systems.

User this resource to:

  • Define how a standard should be developed, structured and improved over time. The Code addresses multi-stakeholder consultation and decision-making, and ensures the standard contains clear requirements that can be measured and assessed.
  • Provide a framework for assessing compliance with standards, so that consumers, supply chain partners, investors and other stakeholders know they can trust the results of assessments. It encourages assurance that is rigorous and accessible, providing accurate and transparent results.
  • Support robust monitoring and evaluation that helps systems to understand how effective their standards are in achieving what they set out to do. It provides standards with a roadmap to measure progress against sustainability goals and to improve practices over time.

ISEAL Credibility Principles

Last updated: 2021

The Credibility Principles define the core values of credible and effective sustainability systems. They provide the foundations for systems to deliver greater impact.

User this resource to:

  • Develop standards and similar sustainability tools to understand which attributes of their system are critical to the credibility of their approach, and why this matters for improving sustainability performance and delivering impacts.
  • Identify systems that can be effective partners in delivering against shared sustainability objectives.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 7: Verify the result

Last updated: 2022

This document sets the SVI Standard to apply Principle 7: Verify the result. The essence of this Principle is to take action; to make decisions about social value in response to data and measurement.

Use this resource to:

  • Verification, assurance and certification: Ensure stakeholders are involved in reviewing the final results and verifying them assurance is being provided on behalf of the people who experience the changes in their life.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 6: Be Transparent

Last updated: 2022

This document sets the SVI Standard to apply Principle 6: Be Transparent. The essence of this Principle is to take action; to make decisions about social value in response to data and measurement.

Use this resource to:

  • Communicate: Demonstrate the basis on which the analysis may be considered accurate and honest, and show that it will be reported to and discussed with stakeholders.

Model Framework for financial products for corporates with unspecified use of funds

Last updated: 2018

The Model Frameworks provide guidance on integrating holistic impact analysis into business processes and decision-making, spanning different business lines and asset types. They can be used by financial institutions, as well as by third parties such as auditors. This Model Framework covers financial products for corporates where the funds raised or guarantees issued are used at the corporate’s discretion, without any specified use.

Use this resource to:

  • Deliver positive impact financial products. The PI Model Framework enables financial institutions or intermediaries tto develop appropriate frameworks or adapt their existing frameworks to serve a number of purposes: for decision-making (i.e. on financing /investments); for the development of PI financial products, or for on-going analysis/monitoring of portfolios; and
  • Verify and/or provide opinions on the PI nature of financial products.

Model Framework for specified use of proceeds

Last updated: 2018

The Model Frameworks provide guidance on integrating holistic impact analysis into business processes and decision-making, spanning different business lines and asset types. They can be used by financial institutions, as well as by third parties such as auditors. This Model Framework covers Financial Products where the funds raised or guarantees issued are used for a specific purpose, in this case Project-related finance within the scope of the Equator Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Deliver positive impact financial products. The PI Model Frameworks enables financial institutions or intermediaries to develop appropriate frameworks or adapt their existing frameworks to serve a number of purposes: for decision-making (i.e. on financing /investments); for the development of PI financial products, or for on-going analysis/monitoring of portfolios; and
  • Verify and/or provide opinions on the PI nature of financial products.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines

Last updated: 2007

The environmental, health, and safety (EHS) guidelines are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of good international industry practice (GIIP).

Use this resource to:

  • Identify: Understand the performance levels and measures that are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities by existing technology at reasonable costs.

Guidance on Transition Finance

Last updated: 2022

This resource sets out elements of credible corporate climate transition plans, which aim to align with the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.

Use this resource to:

  • Obtain a comprehensive overview of existing transition finance approaches, identifying the main challenges and solutions.

Integrated Thinking Principles

Last updated: 2022

A strategic planning tool for boards and management.

Use this resource to:

  • Help embed sustainable business practices into an organisation and provide a foundation for long-term value creation.

SDG Investor Maps

Last updated: 2021

Country-level data and insights about SDG-enabling investment opportunities. This work focuses on the gap between interest in investing in SDGs and the business models that could provide investable opportunities.

Use this resource to:

  • Identify: Identify investment themes in emerging markets which have significant potential to advance the SDGs that are aligned to government policies and sustainable national development needs.