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ISO adopts standard for managing SDG commitments

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a formal framework for prioritizing and measuring corporate commitments related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 17 SDGs, which include directives related to human rights, climate action and responsible consumption, were published in 2015. Members of the UN Global Compact, including 20,000 businesses, are expected to align their operations with at least some of them. An estimated 80 percent of corporations include some reference to the SDGs as part of their ESG initiatives, according to the Global Reporting Initiative.

ISO/UNDP 53001, released Sept. 28 during ISO’s annual meeting, establishes a management system that formalizes how companies choose SDGs, set key performance indicators to track progress and make governance decisions that consider them. 

“The SDGs have provided a shared global vision for a decade,” said ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica. “Today, organizations are looking for concrete ways to translate that vision into action.”

ISO 53001 integrates with existing ISO standards for quality management and environmental management. Companies can be independently certified to demonstrate their commitment, but it’s not required.

The new standard builds on guidelines published by ISO and UNDP in 2024 and applies to companies in any growth stage. The two organizations plan to publish additional guidance, including case study examples, in early 2027.

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