ISO 53001/2 is Coming in 2026, but Here’s How to Get Ahead Now
A new global standard will soon shape how organisations embed sustainability into decision-making. The good news? You don’t have to wait until 2026 to get started.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing two new management system standards that will help enterprises systematically manage their contributions to sustainable development.
Targeted for release in 2026, ISO 53001 and 53002 will collectively offer a structured, certifiable approach for organisations looking to embed sustainability into decision-making. And because it is being developed to help businesses positively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), those that adopt the SDG Impact Standards today will already be on the pathway to future ISO compliance.
What is ISO 53001/2?
ISO 53001 and 53002 should be understood as a package.
ISO 53001, Management systems for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Requirements, is the core management system standard. It provides a structured, certifiable framework for organisations to integrate sustainability into strategy, governance, and decision-making.
ISO 53002, Guidelines for contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sets out accompanying advice and examples to help organisations implement ISO 53001 effectively.
Together, ISO 53001/2 is designed to make sustainability management credible and consistent across sectors and geographies.
A new era of alignment
ISO 53001/2 has been developed in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), building on the two organisations’ shared ambition to strengthen global action on the SDGs. This joint effort has resulted in standards and guidance designed in direct consistency with the SDG Impact Standards, which were developed by UNDP to set best practices in integrating impact management into core business and investment processes.
SVI has been an official liaison to ISO in the process of developing ISO 53001/2, to ensure that it remains focused on outcomes that matter to people and the planet.
In parallel, SVI has been working directly with people around the world to implement the SDG Impact Standards, offering tools, training and assurance that not only deliver immediate benefits, but also prepare organisations for the forthcoming ISO certification.
ISO or SDG Impact? Don’t choose, combine
Ever since ISO and UNDP announced their intent to deliver a set of international standards, we at SVI have often been asked, “Should I follow the SDG Impact Standards, or just wait for the new ISO?”
The reality is you don’t need to choose. The SDG Impact Standards are the on-ramp to ISO 53001/2.
Here’s how the standards complement each other:
Timing: ISO 53001/2 is not yet final, but the UNDP SDG Impact Standards are available to apply now.
Content: ISO 53001/2 will offer a familiar, certifiable path for organisations already using ISO’s Management System Standards. The SDG Impact Standards represent a more ambitious framework, particularly suited for organisations looking to lead in impact management and assurance.
Verification: ISO 53001/2 will bring the benefit of traditional ISO certification, offering a globally recognised pathway for organisations to demonstrate compliance. Organisations using the SDG Impact Standards can gain assurance from recognised certification bodies. Together, assurance against the SDG Impact Standards and certification against ISO 53001/53002 enable organisations to build credibility now while preparing for globally recognised compliance in the future.
Target users: ISO 53001/2 is specifically focused on organisations, whereas the SDG Impact Standards offer versions specifically tailored to enterprises, private equity funds and bond issuers, with stronger alignment to a broader set of UN values, including human rights.
Start strong with SVI
If your organisation is serious about sustainable development, adopting the SDG Impact Standards gives you a head start on building internal systems and culture that help you prepare for future ISO certification with confidence. And at SVI, we’re here to set you up for success.
We offer:
A directory of almost 100 accredited experts worldwide, ready to support you in implementing the SDG Impact Standards and preparing for assurance.
An accreditation programme for impact management professionals who want to deepen their expertise and join a global community that’s scaling the adoption of the SDG Impact Standards.
This is your moment to lead
The standards are aligning and the support is in place. With the SDG Impact Standards available today and ISO 53001/2 on the horizon, organisations that act now will define what credible sustainability leadership looks like in the years ahead. The support is in place, the standards are aligning, and the global momentum is real.
Connect with an expert or join our accreditation programme, and start building a future-fit organisation today.