Featured Reviews

Our flagship SSI Reviews are evidence-based reports on the characteristics and market performance of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs). Established by Jason Potts, former Senior Associate at IISD and founder of the SSI, they aim to help supply chain decision-makers and policy-makers navigate the complex field of sustainability standards.

SSI Reviews provide high-level data and analysis comparing VSS schemes and initiatives. We have developed a robust benchmarking methodology known as the CARE analysis (which stands for coverage, assurance, responsiveness, and engagement) to analyse how these VSSs contribute toward sustainable development outcomes. Our findings feed into the International Trade Centre’s Standards Map, the world’s largest database and benchmarking tool for sustainability standards.

There are two types of SSI Reviews. Sectoral SSI Reviews focus on specific commodity sectors—such as agriculture, mining or seafood—and thematic SSI Reviews examine how VSSs are addressing specific sustainability issues, such as gender equality and biodiversity.

Leveraging Voluntary Sustainability Standards for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Agriculture: A Guide for Development Organizations Based on the Sustainable Development Goals

Our report, available in English and French, explains how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can be used as a tool to meet the SDGs and targets related to gender equality and women’s empowerment in agriculture.

Standards and the Extractive Economy

This report examines voluntary sustainability initiatives and their aim to promote sustainable production practices in the mining sector.

Standards and Biodiversity

The Standards and Biodiversity Report analyzes the criteria and market coverage of 15 major agricultural voluntary sustainability standards against key biodiversity parameters.

Standards and the Blue Economy

This report examines market and performance trends of the nine most prevalent seafood certification schemes.

Standards and the Green Economy

This report provides a bird’s-eye view of market and performance trends across 16 of the most prevalent standards initiatives operating across 10 different commodity sectors.

State of Sustainability Initiatives Review: Sustainability and Transparency

This report provides an overview of the system characteristics and market trends of 10 of the most mature voluntary sustainability initiatives in the forestry, coffee, tea, cocoa and banana sectors.