SCS Standards
Building Sustainability from the Ground Up.
SCS Standards is a leader in the field of sustainability standards, combining scientific expertise across a wide variety of industries with more than three decades of experience to develop leadership standards to drive sustainable development and a circular economy.
Standards Development
Our standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies such as ANSI, ISEAL and ISO to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach.
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Organization
The Standards Development process is rooted in transparency, due process, and strict policies, procedures and oversight. Learn more about the SCS Standards development oversight.
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ANSI Accredited Standard Developer (ASD)
We are accredited to develop standards under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process, which includes openness, balance and consensus. ANSI standards support U.S. business competitiveness and protect the health and welfare of people and the planet. The U.S. government encourages the use of voluntary consensus standards (OMB Circular A-119) in procurement and regulatory applications.
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SCS Global Standards
For international application, we develop global standards that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at alleviating growing pressures on natural resources, minimizing emissions and wastes, supporting workers and local communities, and satisfying the needs of producers, consumers and stakeholders. All standards are geared toward providing measurable benefits and transparency.
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Featured Standard: Diamonds
SCS-007 (Part 1) – Sustainability Rated Diamonds sets the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility. It is the first comprehensive, multi-stakeholder sustainability standard for both natural and laboratory grown diamonds. This source-to-market standard includes producers, handlers throughout chain of custody, and retailers, featuring unmatched sustainability metrics.
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Serve as the catalyst to advance the private and public sectors in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
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Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the activities of SCS Standards. This group ensures SCS Standards compliance with by-laws, regulations, and policies and procedures.
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Core Values
Advance the mission using domestic and international standards development best practices
Build stronger communities through environmental and sustainable stewardship
Take accountability for yesterday through changes made today in protection of tomorrow
Nurture innovative ideas that challenge the status quo, foster environmental protection and restoration, and assure human dignity
Set leadership standards that use data and metrics to drive results and lasting change
Seek partnerships with others who share our commitment to bold action on behalf of a sustainable economy and healthy planet
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Work Plan
SCS Standards’ Work Plan in 2021 and 2022.
SCS Standards in Development
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Certification Standard for Zero Waste Facilities
Standard Number: SCS-110
Development Stage: Standard for Trial Use
Public Consultation Period: OPENCompanies can lower their environmental impact and carbon footprint, and significantly improve their environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility profile, and ESG rankings.
Published SCS Standards
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Certification Standard for Pesticide Residue Free FoodPesticide residue free certification is a pesticide residue management and product safety program available to growers using conventional, integrated pest management, organic and biodynamic farming methods. -
Certification Standard for Pesticide Free FoodProviding maximum assurance to consumers looking for products that are grown without any pesticides -
Certification Standard for Recycling ProgramsThe SCS Recycling Program Certification helps recyclers and reclamation facilities make credible claims about their diversion strategies and recycling rates. -
Certification Standard for Biodegradable Cleaning and Sanitation ProductsSCS Biodegradable certification for cleaners, degreasers, detergents, and soaps biodegrade fully and harmlessly in the environment. -
Certification Standard for Indoor Air Quality – Building Products and FurnitureSCS Indoor Air Quality Certification is recognized by the EPA and GSA, and qualifies for many building rating systems, including LEED v4, BREEAM, WELL Building, and Living Building Challenge. -
Certification Standard for Gluten Free FoodsSCS Global Services Gluten-Free Standard certifies foods and beverages to requirements of no more than 10 parts per million of gluten. -
Certification Standard for Responsibly Sourced Synthetic Fibers and ResinsCertified Responsible Source™ confirms that synthetic fiber and resin have been produced in accordance with fundamental benchmarks of environmental, social and ethical accountability. -
Certification Standard for Responsibly Sourced Metals and GemstonesRequires the use of recycled metals and gemstones, actively avoiding conflict metals and materials from questionable or illegal sources, and meets rigorous social and environmental accountability, including risk management throughout the supply chain. -
Certification Standard for Responsibly Sourced Precious MetalsThis Standard describes the requirements for third-party substantiation of the claims asserted by precious metal recycling companies and jewelry manufacturers with responsible recycled sources of precious metals. -
Verification Standard for Timber Legality AssessmentLegalHarvest™ Verification is available to forest managers, sawmills, pulp mills, secondary manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and groups of associated organizations as well as entire supply chains. -
Verification Standard for Timber Legality Assessment – Adapted by CountryLegalHarvest™ Verification is available to forest managers, sawmills, pulp mills, secondary manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and groups of associated organizations as well as entire supply chains. -
Verification Standard for Salvaged Wood and FiberSalvaged Wood Verification allows organizations to demonstrate to customers that their salvaged woods were obtained legally and in an environmentally responsible manner.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the activities of SCS Standards. This group ensures SCS Standards compliance with by-laws, regulations, and policies and procedures.
Kianda Franklin is a Senior Technical Manager for SCS Standards. She currently helps manage the SCS Standards and ANSI Processes. Primary duties include managing the development and continuous improvement of SCS technical standards and procedures and identifying other criteria opportunities. Prior to joining SCS Standards, Kianda managed a suite of sustainability Standards, certified and audited clients at another organization. With over 14 years of experience, Kianda participated in the development process of sustainability, ANSI, ISO standards, and performed document reviews/audits for 2nd party sustainability standards. She also launched several Sustainability programs. Kianda has a BS in I.T. at Michigan State University, a MS in I.T. and an MBA at Colorado Technical University.
Todd Woloson, JD began his career with Proctor & Gamble in 1989 but soon became a serial entrepreneur. After graduating from the University of Denver Law School in 1994, he successfully completed an environmental service rollup, which led to a career as a venture capitalist. In 1996, Todd co-founded Canyon Capital, an early-stage venture fund. As a Managing Partner, he was intimately involved with the development of a wide range of software, Internet, and consumer product companies. Also, in 1996, Todd co-founded Global Education Fund (“GEF”), a non-profit organization building libraries in developing countries. To date, GEF has created 53 libraries and literacy centers in 21 countries throughout the world. In 2002, Todd co-founded the IZZE Beverage Company. IZZE manufactures and markets a line of all-natural sparkling fruit juices available at Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats Marketplace, Starbucks, Target, Costco, and a wide variety of independent locations. Todd served as President and CEO of IZZE until its sale to PepsiCo in 2006 and was a recipient of the 2003 Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Ernst & Young. Mr. Woloson earned a BA degree from St. Lawrence University in New York and a JD from the University of Denver Law School in Environmental Law.
Bill Karsell has over 30 years of experience in progressive regulatory and private sector domestic and international environmental standards development efforts. Karsell served as chair of the US Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee 207, Subcommittee 5 on life-cycle environmental standards until 2019. This is in addition to serving as the Chair for the ANSI-process standard development committee for Type III Life-Cycle Impact Declarations for Materials, Products, Services and Systems. As Chief of the US Bureau of Reclamation, Karsell had over 100 scientists, hydrologists, geologists, and biologists overseeing water resource management and the operation of the diversion, delivery, and storage projects throughout the western United States for irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. In his spare time, Karsell enjoys exploring National Parks and hanging out with his grandchildren.
Michele Blazek MBA is the Environmental Health and Safety expert at Stanford Health Care working on the interface between the environment of care within a hospital setting. Her research interests include the use of asset management to increase operational efficiency, reliability, and safety. Past research includes sustainability at the nexus of the built environment, environmental life cycle impact of telecommunications, end of life management of electronics, and data center energy efficiency methods and techniques. Given her lifecycle assessment expertise, she represented the U.S. as the technical expert to Subcommittee 5, Life Cycle Assessment and negotiated key technical framework on life cycle impact assessment for the international standard ISO 14042, the USTAG for ISO TC207 Environmental Management Systems for environmental lifecycle assessment (1997-1999), and auditing and environmental performance evaluation (1996-1997). She has developed and presented strategic whitepapers, roadmaps, and corporate strategies regarding environmental policy, energy management, industrial ecology, and carbon/greenhouse gas inventories.
Michelle holds an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University, a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Policy (EPP), and is a Masters of Science candidate in Applied Geosciences/Meteorology at San Francisco State University.
Margaret Kolk is a dedicated food safety and quality professional with diverse expertise in training, auditing and consulting across the global food supply chain. She has developed and implemented GMP/HACCP-based food safety systems and programs as a subject matter expert for primary production, numerous processing, manufacturing and retail facilities preparing for FDA and USDA regulatory compliance. Margaret's boots on the ground international and domestic auditing, training and consultancy work covers several food sector categories and spans three decades. As a recognized, experienced food industry presenter and trainer with a background in journalism, technical writing and instructional design, Margaret has delivered numerous professional presentations and written articles for industry publications, conferences, trade shows and academic institutions during the course of her career. She was responsible for spearheading, creating, implementing and sustaining ANSI accredited (ASTM-26559-09) training programs and was recognized by ANSI for outstanding performance in documentation and presentation.
