Publication: February 2026

This report draws on the fifth meeting of the UNFSS Academic Advisory Council, held on 31 March–1 April 2025 in Bonn, which examined the evolving role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in an increasingly fragmented global sustainability governance landscape. It underscores a shift from voluntary approaches toward stronger public regulation and hybrid governance, highlighting the need for renewed research and policy thinking to ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of VSS. Link: https://unctad.org/meeting/5th-united-nations-forum-sustainability-standards-unfss-academic-advisory-council-meeting

Publication: December 2024

The report emphasizes that VSS can serve as a bridge between ambitious sustainability goals and the practical realities of trade. By leveraging the existing infrastructure of VSS, policymakers can streamline compliance and reduce the burden on small producers. Below an example of the existing capacity infrastructure already built by VSS. Link: https://unctad.org/publication/future-sustainable-trade

Publication: August 2024

Sustainability due diligence is a process through which companies need to identify, address, cease, prevent and/or mitigate actual or potential risks of contributing to any adverse sustainability impacts associated with their activities or sourcing decisions, as well as keep track of and communicate their actions to address these risks. This report is based on current ongoing work and discussions from both academic researchers and policymakers, taking stock of current questions and concerns about due diligence developments and their implications for international trade, the role of VSS in GVCs’ sustainability governance, and for developing countries. Link: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ditctab2024d3_en.pdf