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Standards and Businesses Coming Together in Washington to Discuss Sustainability Challenges

Over 200 of the most influential figures in sustainability standards and certification will join business leaders to share their thoughts on today’s most pressing sustainability challenges on May 10 to 11 in Washington, DC.

By Lara Koritzke | Published 8 years ago | About a 2 minute read

The ISEAL Alliance will be hosting the Global Sustainability Standards Conference at George Washington University. This year will be the first time that the principal event for the standards and certification movement is held in North America. The conference brings standards and businesses together to discuss how standards systems can harness new opportunities for collaboration and technological advancement to keep pace with a rapidly changing sustainability landscape.

The opening speech will be delivered by Kelly Caruso, President of Sourcing Services at Target, who heads up the retailer’s sourcing for apparel, homeware, and hardline products and has been working closely with ISEAL member GoodWeave and USAID on the Supply Unchained project in India.

Participants will also have the chance to gain a practical insight into how certification can contribute to sustainable outcomes in an interactive world café session featuring companies and standards systems with established partnerships. During the session business leaders from McDonald’s, Viridian, and Ahold will challenge delegates to think about how standards need to evolve, innovate and collaborate to overcome specific issues.

Overall, the program balances opportunities for in-depth discussion in breakout sessions on topics such as integrating smallholder producers into standards systems, with expert insights from experienced practitioners such as Elise Golan, Director of Sustainable Development for the US Department of Agriculture.

These are just a few of the issues and debates being covered as delegates hear from a number of the finest minds in the sustainability arena on a range of subjects.

For more on the conference, take a look at the programme and list of confirmed speakers or write to us at [email protected].

To confirm your place register online.

For those interested in learning more about ISEAL’s work there will also be two pre-conference workshops led by ISEAL staff members. Visit the ISEAL website to find out more.