TS EN ISO 14019-4

TS EN ISO 14019-4 addresses the principles and requirements for bodies that validate and verify declared sustainability information. It focuses on the credibility of sustainability claims and builds on the general framework of ISO/IEC 17029 for validation and verification bodies.

A framework for validation and verification bodies

Sustainability information may include declarations about environmental performance, broader sustainability attributes, or related organizational and product information. Because such information can be quantitative or qualitative, the bodies assessing it need defined competence, consistent operating methods and freedom from undue influence. This standard is concerned with how those bodies should be set up and operate when carrying out validation or verification activities.

Relationship with ISO/IEC 17029

This standard applies the general principles and requirements of ISO/IEC 17029 to validation and verification of sustainability information and adds specific requirements for that subject area. In practice, it retains the common conformity assessment framework while introducing expectations tailored to sustainability declarations. Where programme requirements exist, they are additional to the requirements of this document.

• Competence: the body has suitable knowledge, skills and resources for its defined scope
• Consistent operation: assessments are carried out under controlled and traceable procedures
• Impartiality: decisions are protected from conflicts of interest and bias
• Subject-specific requirements: sustainability information brings additional expectations beyond ISO/IEC 17029