An interdisciplinary conference on Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) will take place in Leuven, Belgium, on the 27th and 28th of October 2026. The conference will provide a space for researchers and experts to reflect on the changing role of VSS, with particular attention to new challenges, adaptation and future pathways.
The conference comes at a time when the global sustainability governance landscape is evolving rapidly. Recent UNFSS discussions have highlighted how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) are increasingly interacting with new regulatory approaches, reporting requirements, traceability measures and due diligence-related developments. In this context, the Leuven conference will offer an opportunity to continue these exchanges, reflect on the changing role of VSS, and explore how research and policy discussions can respond to new challenges, adaptation needs and future pathways in a changing international environment.
