What Is the ISEAL Alliance? Why is it critical for Global Standard Programs like the Responsible Hemp Botanicals Standard?
The ISEAL Alliance is a global membership organization that brings together leading sustainability systems, certification programs, and standard-setting bodies from across sectors — agriculture, forestry, fisheries, textiles, mining, finance, and more. Members include some of the world’s most respected names in sustainability, such as the Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Textile Exchange, and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Founded in 2002, ISEAL exists to strengthen how sustainability standards are designed, implemented, and measured. It helps ensure that when a company, farmer, or producer claims compliance with a standard, that claim is backed by a credible system that drives meaningful environmental and social progress.
ISEAL members commit to learning, collaboration, and continual improvement — guided by ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice, which are globally recognized frameworks for designing effective standards and assurance systems.
The ISEAL Codes of Good Practice
At the heart of the ISEAL Alliance are its three Codes of Good Practice, which define what credible sustainability systems look like:
The Standard-Setting Code — Ensures that standards are developed through transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based processes that reflect stakeholder consensus.
The Assurance Code — Defines best practices for credible verification, auditing, and certification systems, ensuring that compliance is independently and consistently assessed.
The Impacts Code — Guides organizations on how to measure, evaluate, and communicate the real-world outcomes of their systems.
These Codes serve as benchmarks for integrity, not just compliance checklists. ISEAL members use them to continually refine their systems, respond to emerging risks, and remain trusted by global stakeholders.
Why ISEAL Matters
1. Credibility in a Sea of Claims
The sustainability marketplace is flooded with labels and certifications. Without strong governance and transparent assurance, even the most well-intentioned programs risk being dismissed as “greenwashing.” ISEAL membership signals that a system has met the highest global expectations for integrity and continuous improvement.
For buyers, investors, and consumers, ISEAL acts as a shortcut to trust — a way to know that a certification program’s claims are backed by credible processes and real-world data.
2. Consistency Across Sectors
Every industry has its nuances, but the fundamentals of good governance, stakeholder inclusion, and measurable impact remain the same. ISEAL provides a unifying framework that allows standards systems from different sectors to speak a common language — enabling cross-sector learning and benchmarking.
For example, an agricultural program can learn from a forestry initiative’s assurance methods, or a textile certification can apply lessons from fisheries impact measurement. This cross-pollination strengthens the entire sustainability ecosystem.
3. Data-Driven Impact
ISEAL places strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Members are expected to not only report on activities — such as number of audits or certifications — but also to measure actual outcomes: improvements in soil health, reductions in emissions, better labor conditions, or increased biodiversity.
By promoting a culture of data-driven accountability, ISEAL helps ensure that sustainability claims translate into measurable progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusivity
ISEAL membership requires active stakeholder participation in standard development and revision. This ensures that standards are shaped not only by technical experts but also by those most affected — producers, communities, Indigenous groups, and smallholder farmers.
This inclusive approach creates legitimacy and relevance, helping standards address real challenges on the ground rather than abstract ideals.
5. Continuous Learning and Collaboration
Unlike traditional accreditation bodies that focus solely on compliance, ISEAL is a learning community. Members share challenges, pilot new solutions, and collaborate on research and innovation projects.
For instance, ISEAL’s ongoing initiatives on digital traceability, living income benchmarks, and regenerative agriculture provide valuable resources for all members — accelerating innovation across the sustainability movement.
What ISEAL Membership Means for INCCert
For INCCert, pursuing ISEAL membership represents an important milestone in scaling credible sustainability systems for the hemp and botanical industries.
As the managing organization for the Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS) and Responsible Hemp Botanicals (RHB), INCCert’s mission is to bring transparency, integrity, and traceability to the rapidly evolving hemp economy. These programs are designed to verify that hemp-derived materials — from fiber and seed to cannabinoids and botanicals — are produced responsibly, with measurable benefits for ecosystems, workers, and consumers.
By aligning with ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice, INCCert aims to:
Strengthen the credibility and recognition of hemp-based certification globally.
Ensure that its standards are developed through transparent and inclusive stakeholder processes.
Maintain robust third-party assurance through partners like Control Union.
Implement a data-driven Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system to track outcomes over time.
Participate in a global learning network of sustainability leaders to continuously improve.
In short, ISEAL membership isn’t just a badge — it’s a public commitment to integrity, accountability, and measurable impact.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Industry and Society
As industries transition toward more sustainable and circular models, certification systems will play an increasingly vital role in verifying what’s real. But verification without credibility undermines progress.
The ISEAL Alliance acts as the connective tissue between credible standards and the broader sustainability movement. It ensures that standards don’t just exist — they evolve, adapt, and improve in response to new data, technology, and stakeholder expectations.
By pursuing ISEAL membership, organizations like INCCert help strengthen trust not only in their own programs but in the entire system of voluntary sustainability standards that underpin global transformation.
In a world facing climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and social inequity, that trust is not optional — it’s essential.
Learn More
Visit www.isealalliance.org to explore the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice and view the list of current members advancing credible sustainability worldwide.
To learn more about INCCert’s standards and assurance systems, visit www.inccert.com.