SVI and UNDP Launch SDG Impact Standards Assurance Scheme
New scheme offers organisations a path to credible, independent verification of their sustainability practices.
Today, SVI, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has officially launched the SDG Impact Standards Assurance Scheme, a pioneering initiative to independently verify organisations’ internal management practices against the SDG Impact Standards.
The launch follows SVI’s appointment by UNDP in May as the Interim Scheme Manager. The announcement was made at the International Business Forum of the UN’s Fourth Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), marking a significant milestone in the global movement to embed sustainability into core business practices.
Developed by UNDP, the SDG Impact Standards are globally recognised sustainability management system standards that help organisations embed sustainable development considerations into decision-making, strategy, governance and transparency. The Assurance Scheme provides the framework for independent, third-party assurance that an organisation’s internal systems align with these standards.
““We are proud to be leading this important step in strengthening impact integrity and accountability worldwide. The Assurance Scheme gives organisations a robust way to demonstrate how they are aligning with the SDGs – not just in rhetoric, but in how they manage, govern and make decisions”. ”
““The launch of the Assurance Scheme marks a critical step toward mainstreaming sustainability in financial decision-making. It offers a credible mechanism for organisations to embed the SDG Impact Standards into their governance and operations, helping shift private capital towards outcomes that truly matter.” ”
The Assurance Scheme will serve a wide range of stakeholders, from enterprises and investors looking to demonstrate SDG alignment, to assurance providers, consultants, and trainers seeking to deliver trusted services. SVI is delivering training for the first cohort of Accredited Assurance Assessors and Certification Service Providers and is inviting interested parties to register their interest in upcoming courses.
This is a provisional pre-certified version of the Scheme, which will be piloted ahead of full certification. In parallel, UNDP is working with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to evaluate the Scheme’s conformity to ISO 17065, a major step toward formal recognition.
This assurance mechanism complements SVI’s broader mission to change the way the world accounts for value through decision making that enhances wellbeing and reduces inequality. The SDG Impact Standards explicitly reference the Principles of Social Value, reinforcing SVI’s commitment to meaningful, transparent and people-centred impact.
Organisations and individuals interested in joining the Assurance Scheme – whether as practitioners, training providers, or certified assurance bodies – can register their interest here.