3rd UNFSS Flagship Report: Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), Trade and Sustainable Development The relationship between Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), trade and sustainable development are among the most pronounced concepts sought-after the realm of green global value chains. We typically see the benefits of imposing sustainability standards as a positive advantage contributing to the environment, social and the economy. The VSS system has in fact influence the export landscape to either facilitate market access or become an obstacle to trade, especially for importing countries that have turned to
International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards Leveraging Trade, Global Value Chains, and Standards as engines of Sustainable Development 17-18 September 2018 | New Delhi, India The International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) is organized by the India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards (India PSS Platform) and convened by the Quality Council of India, in collaboration with UNFSS. Registrations Open (link below). From topics on international trade, innovations in sustainable global value chains, and sustainability standard settings, to government policies and multi-stakeholder
The idea of ‘Sustainable Consumption and Production’ comes in manifold. Where Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are concerned, sustainable production is essentially complying to VSS schemes, and sustainable consumption is purchasing products with VSS labels. Although this may sound simple, there are however a wide array of complexities VSS may indirectly undermine the simplicity of this implementation. UNFSS have proceeded to develop a series of informational videos that could speak not just to direct stakeholders, but also to the public in general,
What are the impacts of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) from the trade policy perspective? Can one consider VSS as a market access enhancer, or barriers to trade? What sustainability concerns do VSS address? The relationship between VSS, trade and sustainable development are among the most pronounced concepts sought-after the realm of green global value chains. The three questions above typically highlights the main components where the influence of VSS over export opportunities can either facilitate market access or become an obstacle
To integrate successfully in the global trading system, countries need to comply with international quality requirements for goods and services. Quality Infrastructure (QI) helps domestic and global producers and consumers fulfil their mutual quality goals. It also stimulates industrial development, trade competitiveness, innovation and efficient use of resources, while ensuring protection of the environment. In the framework of UNIDO’s trade capacity-building activities, a side event will be held on setting the good governance foundations for a modern quality infrastructure system for
The study aims to assess the role and contribution of PSS to India’s trade, and analyse if PSS have an impact to achieve sustainable development. UNFSS launched today this study in the context of its support to the Indian PSS National Multi-Stakeholders Platform mandate.






