Corporate sustainability needs a universal definition
This has always been the approach of the CSE Certified Sustainable Economics Standard, the world’s strictest certification for sustainability. As with an organic label, a sustainability label must also verify that sustainability is embedded in the product. The challenge here is that sustainability does not only take place on a physical level. This means that the entire business model, including management, must be included in the definition and therefore also in the audit. CSE offers a definition with its components and meets the challenge by certifying the numerous criteria.
Measuring and evaluating sustainability – a key issue for companies in the organic sector
The organic sector is increasingly realizing that “organic” alone is no longer enough to maintain the sector’s former lead. Companies that implement sustainability not only at the level of organic products are called upon to reposition themselves and communicate their lead. On Thursday, GfaW will be presenting its CSE approach at Biofach as part of the event “Operational sustainability management – how do I find my way through the jungle of methods?”. The event is aimed at companies that are concerned with sustainability and want to measure and evaluate it. There are a handful of methods that differ significantly in their approach. In the plenary session, visitors will be given an initial overview of the various methods of sustainability assessment and documentation (objectives, scope, differentiating features). In the foyer, there will then be the opportunity to talk directly to the representatives of the respective approaches and find out more.
CSE – Measuring, testing and communicating sustainability
The CSE sustainability certification requires compliance with high minimum standards. These must then be audited by a third, independent inspection body. With the certification, the audited companies acquire the right to use the CSE seal and to label their products with it. In this way, the consumer, challenged by the jungle of labels, can recognize at a glance that all aspects of sustainability (ecological, social and economic) have been complied with. CSE therefore includes the existence of a business model that is consistently geared towards sustainability, verification by an inspection body and the ability to communicate an above-average sustainability performance.
