The Use of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Policy

The document explains the increasing integration of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) into trade policy frameworks, such as market access, due diligence regulations, and free trade agreements. It argues that for VSSs to effectively support sustainable trade, governments must implement credibility criteria to assess standards and provide targeted financial and capacity-building support to producers, particularly those in developing countries.

• Governments are incorporating VSSs into a variety of trade policy instruments, including export promotion strategies, public procurement, free trade agreements, due diligence regulations, and market access.
• The integration of VSSs into trade policy requires the establishment of credibility criteria because standards vary significantly in their governance, assurance systems, and scope.
• To ensure VSSs meaningfully support sustainable trade, producers—especially those in developing countries—require financial assistance and capacity-building services to maintain and access certification.

APA

Verma,, F. S. B. (2025). The Use of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Policy. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/voluntary-sustainability-standards-trade-policy

Chicago

Verma,, Florencia Sarmiento,Steffany Bermúdez,Rupal. The Use of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Policy. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/voluntary-sustainability-standards-trade-policy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Verma, |first1=Florencia Sarmiento,Steffany Bermúdez,Rupal |title=The Use of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Policy |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=29 May 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/voluntary-sustainability-standards-trade-policy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{verma2025use, author = {Verma,, Florencia Sarmiento,Steffany Bermúdez,Rupal}, title = {{The Use of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Trade Policy}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/voluntary-sustainability-standards-trade-policy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }