Sustainability
The basic definition of sustainability in ISO Guide 82:2014, Guidelines for addressing sustainability in standards, is:
“The state of the global system, including environmental, social and economic aspects, in which the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The standards development process provides standards-makers with the opportunity to contribute to sustainable development, and in particular to encourage sustainable consumption and production.
Within this, the UN Sustainable Development Goals are an important reference point, particularly Goal 12 ‘Responsible production and consumption’, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns:
“Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty. Sustainable consumption and production aims at “doing more and better with less,” increasing net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing resource use, degradation and pollution along the whole lifecycle, while increasing quality of life. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media, and development cooperation agencies, among others. It also requires a systemic approach and cooperation among actors operating in the supply chain, from producer to final consumer. It involves engaging consumers through awareness-raising and education on sustainable consumption and lifestyles, providing consumers with adequate information through standards and labels and engaging in sustainable public procurement, among others.”
BSI is supporting a programme of work in the area of sustainable consumption and production, and is seeking new committee members to help shape this programme.