The International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ) has recently officially published new standards in the ISO 14019 series , designed to define a global, reliable and consistent framework for the validation and verification of sustainability (ESG) information.These standards respond to a growing demand for reliable and verifiable ESG data, in a context of increasingly stringent regulations and global markets that require transparency and comparability.
In particular:
- allow for the harmonization of methodological approaches between companies and countries,
- support validation and verification bodies with globally recognized criteria,
- reduce the risk of greenwashing through structured quality control of ESG information.
ISO 14019-1:2026 – General principles and requirements for validation and verification
ISO 14019-1 provides the fundamental principles and general requirements for conducting validation and verification activities of sustainability information, including environmental, social and governance information.This standard defines:
- a uniform methodological approach to distinguish between validation (analysis of assumptions and consistency of forecasts) and verification (checking of historical data),
- criteria applicable to quantitative and qualitative information,
- the framework for integrating these practices with internationally recognized conformity assessment programs (e.g. ISO/IEC 17029).
ISO 14019-2:2026 – Requirements for the verification process
ISO 14019-2 details specific operational and procedural requirements for verifying sustainability information, including methods for gathering evidence and managing data uncertainty.This standard is essential for anyone conducting or overseeing ESG verification activities on corporate statements, sustainability reports, or external communications.