• Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ISO/UNDP 53001 is the world’s first International Standard for managing contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• While many organizations embrace the SDGs, turning ambition into consistent action remains a challenge. ISO/UNDP 53001 offers a practical framework to embed SDG commitments into governance, strategy and daily operations.
• As the first globally agreed, requirements-based SDG management system, the standard helps organizations measure progress, demonstrate accountability and improve performance.
• UNDP identified ISO as its standards development partner, combining UNDP’s sustainable development expertise with ISO’s global standardization system and national standards network.
• With potential adoption by ISO members worldwide, ISO/UNDP 53001 could become a global reference for organizations, governments and policymakers advancing sustainable development.
• Designed to remain relevant beyond 2030, ISO/UNDP 53001 supports a global quality architecture that helps businesses turn sustainable development priorities into credible management practice and gives governments and development institutions a common framework to engage the private sector.

Paris/New York – ISO and UNDP today launched ISO/UNDP 53001, Management systems for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Requirements, the world’s first International Standard to help organizations integrate the SDGs into their strategy, governance and operations through a structured management system. The launch took place during the ISO Annual Meeting, hosted by AFNOR in Paris from 28 Sept - 2 Oct, under the theme Building trust in a changing world.

As governments, businesses and institutions face growing expectations to demonstrate meaningful progress on sustainable development, ISO/UNDP 53001 provides a globally agreed approach to help organizations move beyond commitment towards measurable implementation and continual improvement. It is intended for businesses, governments, educational institutions, civil society and other organizations, with flexibility to focus on the SDGs that are most relevant to their context and stakeholders.

ISO/UNDP 53001, for the first time, provides concrete tools to enable organizations to identify priorities, establish objectives, integrate them into existing processes and measure performance over time. As a requirements-based management system standard, it provides a consistent basis for demonstrating that an organization’s approach meets defined requirements, strengthening accountability and confidence in the actions taken.

ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica said the launch represents an important step in supporting organizations to make measurable progress towards the SDGs.

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

“International Standards have long helped organizations address complex global challenges by providing a common language and a shared framework for action. We are delighted to launch ISO/UNDP 53001 today, extending this proven approach to the SDGs and helping organizations create positive impact for people and planet.”

UNDP identified ISO as its international standards development partner for the initiative, bringing together UNDP’s expertise in sustainable development with ISO’s global standardization system and network of national standards bodies.

Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support stated that achieving the SDGs will depend on organizations of every kind playing an active role in advancing sustainable development.

“The SDGs provide a shared blueprint for a more inclusive and prosperous future. Achieving that requires organizations everywhere to turn ambition into action,” Mr Neto said.

“We are proud to launch ISO/UNDP 53001 alongside ISO as a crucial tool to help organizations embed the SDGs into the way they operate, lead and govern. By making sustainability part of everyday decision-making, the standard can help accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.”

Jens Heiede, Chief Executive Officer of Danish Standards, said developing the world’s first International Standard dedicated to the SDGs required international collaboration to build consensus across a broad range of sectors and perspectives.

“Creating a standard that could be applied by organizations of every size, sector and geography required extensive collaboration between experts from around the world. Together, we developed a practical and internationally agreed set of requirements that organizations can apply with confidence,” Mr Heiede said.

“It has been a privilege for Danish Standards to lead the technical committee behind ISO/UNDP 53001. We look forward to seeing organizations use the standard to demonstrate accountability and deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes.”

Designed for long-term use, ISO/UNDP 53001 can support the current SDGs and future global goals, with ISO’s regular review process helping ensure it remains relevant and fit for purpose. ISO and UNDP will work with partners to support implementation, including sector-specific guidance linking global priorities with industry and market realities.

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More information about the ISO Annual Meeting, including livestream sessions open to the public, is available at http://www.iso.org/annualmeeting. 

ISO/UNDP 53001 is available at https://www.iso.org/standard/53001.

More information about ISO is available at www.iso.org. 

Media Contacts

For UNDP

Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, NY, email: Sangita.khadka@undp.org

Christopher Hughes, Communications Specialist, Sustainable Finance Hub, Madrid, Christopher.hughes@undp.org

For ISO

Katie Clift, Public Relations, ISO, press@iso.org / ext-clift@iso.org 

Vanessa Von der Mühll, Head of Communications & Engagement, ISO, vondermuhll@iso.org

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

About ISO

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 170 national standards bodies. Through its global network, it facilitates the development of voluntary and market-relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. ISO has published more than 25 000 International Standards and related documents covering almost every industry, from technology to food safety, to agriculture and healthcare. Learn more at www.iso.org.