What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
In 2015, the United Nations set an ambitious 15-year plan to address some of the most pressing issues faced by the world.
By supporting our members to maximize the benefits of international standardization and ensure the uptake of ISO standards, we’re helping to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Economic, environmental and societal dimensions are all directly addressed by ISO standards. Organizations and companies looking to contribute to the SDGs will find that International Standards provide effective tools to help them rise to the challenge.
How ISO standards help meet the SDGs
The SDGs represent an ambitious plan to enhance peace and prosperity, eradicate poverty and protect the planet. They are recognized globally as essential to the future sustainability of our world.
This plan of action calls on the contribution from all elements of society, including local and national governments, business, industry and individuals. To be successful, the process requires consensus, collaboration and innovation.
ISO has published more than 22 000 International Standards and related documents that represent globally recognized guidelines and frameworks based on international collaboration. Built around consensus, they provide a solid base on which innovation can thrive and are essential tools to help governments, industry and consumers contribute to the achievement of every one of the SDGs.
Putting ideas into practice with the ISO SDG tool
For each Goal, ISO has identified the standards that make the most significant contribution. This site serves as a resource for those who are looking for a concrete way in which their organization can play its part. With ISO standards covering almost every subject imaginable, from technical solutions to systems that organize processes and procedures, there are numerous ISO standards that correspond to each of the SDGs. We’ve presented a list of the top standards, with links that enable you to preview each one, so you can find out if it’s right for your needs. You can also see which ISO technical committee developed each standard, and find out what they’re currently working on.
