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This policy brief examines the international standardization landscape regarding plastic pollution, arguing that current voluntary, industry-led standards are fragmented and insufficient on their own to combat pollution without government-led priorities and complementary regulatory frameworks.

This research paper examines the international standardization landscape as it relates to plastics pollution. It analyzes the roles of major standards organizations like ISO, CEN, and ASTM International, identifies gaps in current standards across the plastics value chain, and proposes strategic re-orientations—such as variety reduction and digital materials passports—to support a circular economy and a potential global treaty on plastic pollution.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines the challenges and recommendations regarding the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) efforts to develop social responsibility (SR) standards. IISD argues that ISO must move beyond its 'business as usual' approach to ensure meaningful participation from developing countries and the broader sustainable development community, while clearly defining the objective of any proposed SR standard.