Standard-Setting Process

The SASB standards were published in late 2018, following six years of research and extensive market input. Following the codification of the standards, SASB continues to conduct research, engage with corporate professionals, investors, and subject matter experts, and monitor existing, evolving, and emerging sustainability issues. We will approach any changes to the standards through our rigorous process which includes evidence-based research, broad and balanced stakeholder participation, public transparency, and independent oversight and direction from the Standards Board. Following this due process ensures that SASB appropriately balances the timeliness of updates with the need to maintain high quality standards. For documentation of past standard-setting activities, please visit the Standard-Setting Archive.

Project-Based Model

SASB approaches updates to the standards using a project-based model, enabling focused standard setting to effectively address key issues. This model gives SASB the ability to address broad themes, regulatory changes, and other trends which affect multiple sectors. SASB research staff works closely with a dedicated SICS® sector to organize research and consultation efforts within that market segment and may also lead research projects about cross-cutting issues.

SASB staff works under the guidance of the Standards Board to develop research projects, which become part of SASB’s Research Program. These investigative projects lead to staff recommendations for the board, who then determine whether the findings merit the initiation of a standard-setting project. The Standards Board adds projects involving potential standards changes to the Agenda. Once they are in the Agenda, standard-setting projects follow SASB’s thorough process, including continual research and consultation, circulation of exposure drafts, comment periods, and careful review. Ultimately, the Standards Board will determine, based on this input, whether or not to issue an update to the standards. Both research and standard-setting projects are documented on the Active Projects page, which includes details and status of specific projects.

Project Screening

Staff surfaces priority issues based on input from a broad range of stakeholders and develops project proposal to be reviewed by Standards Board.

Output: Research or standard-setting project proposal

Research Program

Staff investigation and analysis results in a standalone publication, conclusion, or proposed next steps. Projects in the research program fall along a spectrum – some pertain directly to specific standards changes and will become standard-setting projects, while others examine related topics and will have outcomes that support the market’s use of the standards more broadly. Additionally, these projects vary in nature from technical corrections to thematic shifts.

Output: Completion of non-standards-related research project or standard-setting project proposal

Standard-Setting Agenda

Staff evaluates standards against research and consultation findings and formulates recommendation to board. Projects on the standard-setting agenda may or may not result in updates to standard(s).

Output: Exposure draft of standard(s)

Comment Period

After Standards Board approves a draft, staff solicits public comments on provisional changes and consolidates responses.

Output: Market feedback on draft standards

Standards Update

Staff considers feedback to revise draft and reviews updates with Standards Board. Standards Board publishes update or calls for further review.

Output: Updated standard(s)

Post-Implementation Review

Staff monitors implementation and use of standards, as well as major trends and shifts in the market.

Output: Data for project screening

Sector Coverage

Each of the 11 sectors (77 industries) identified by SASB through our Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) is led by a dedicated analyst, laying the foundation for research and market engagement.

Sector-specific questions or feedback? Email the appropriate analyst below. For general inquiries, please contact us for more information.

Sector	Contact	Email
Consumer Goods	Taylor Reed	[email protected]
Extractives & Minerals Processing	Ekaterina Hardin	[email protected]
Financials	Anton Gorodniuk	[email protected]
Food & Beverage	Devon Bonney	[email protected]
Health Care	Kelli Okuji Wilson	[email protected]
Infrastructure	Will Meister	[email protected]
Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy	Gail Glazerman	[email protected]
Resource Transformation	Gail Glazerman	[email protected]
Services	Bryan Esterly	[email protected]
Technology & Communications	Greg Waters	[email protected]
Transportation	Bryan Esterly	[email protected]