Trade and Environment Briefings: Sustainability Standards for Consumer Goods - Policy Brief 8

Sustainability standards have emerged in the marketplace for food, textiles and a wide range of consumer goods and services over the last 25 years, and their role continues to grow, particularly in emerging markets. Standards provide consumers with information and assurance about the environmental impact of production and so help build value into certified goods and services. By providing information on environmental benefits otherwise not priced in the value chain, sustainability standards and certification have a key role to play in helping developing countries transition to a green economy. However, many developing countries are concerned that these standards can be potential non-tariff barriers to trade.