ISO 53001: the new SDG standard and how to get started

Are the SDG logos in your sustainability report? You are not alone. Many companies link their actions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But ask them how they track those goals, and it goes quiet.

The numbers confirm it: today only 16% of the SDG targets are on track to be met by 2030. ISO 53001 is set to change that. In short:

• The first ISO standard for the SDGs, developed jointly by ISO and UNDP.
• You choose the SDGs that matter for your business and steer on them with targets, KPIs and the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle.
• Already have ISO 14001, ISO 9001, CSRD or VSME? Then you have already done a large part of the work.

What is ISO 53001?

ISO 53001 is the first ISO standard aligned with the SDGs of the United Nations. ISO and UNDP developed it together.

The standard describes a management system that lets you address your contribution to the SDGs in a structured way. You choose the goals where your business truly has impact, translate them into concrete targets and KPIs, and adjust along the familiar Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. The focus shifts from nice statements to demonstrable action and results.

Why ISO 53001, and what does it deliver?

An extra standard sounds like extra work. But if you already use the SDGs in your communication, you have done half the work. With ISO 53001 you show that you actually act on them.

• Your SDG claims become credible. You show with data what you contribute, instead of showing logos. That protects you against accusations of impact washing, as Europe looks ever more closely at sustainability claims.
• You stand stronger with clients and in tenders. Buyers increasingly ask how you contribute to their own sustainability goals. With a management system you have that answer ready, with numbers.
• You spot risks and opportunities sooner. By mapping your impact systematically, you see where social and environmental risks sit, and where there is room for efficiency and innovation.
• You make sustainability manageable. Targets, owners and KPIs make sustainability a fixed part of your strategy, instead of a separate project next to your daily operations.
• You speak the language of investors. Anyone looking for companies with demonstrable impact gets comparable and verifiable data from you.

Frequently asked questions

Isn’t that a lot of work?

Less than you think, especially if you already have an ISO system. ISO 53001 follows the same structure as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. Your policy, processes and internal audits already exist. You add a layer; you do not start over. Already reporting under CSRD or VSME? Then you already have much of the data in house.

Do I have to address all 17 SDGs?

No. The strength of the standard lies in the choice. You focus on the goals where your business makes the biggest difference, positive and negative. That keeps it manageable.

Is ISO 53001 right for my business?

The standard is meant for organisations of any size and in any sector. It is especially relevant if your clients ask for proof, if you already have an ISO system, or if you want to use your sustainability data to steer your business.

Will this still be relevant after 2030?

Yes. The standard is designed to also work with the goals that will follow the SDGs after 2030. So you are not investing in something that expires within four years.

How do I get started?

With the right question: which SDGs truly matter for your business? That choice drives everything that follows. It is also where we start together: we look at what you already have, and what is still needed.

How we help

At Mantis we guide you through the implementation of ISO 53001, tailored to your business and your sector. We build on what you already have: your ISO system, your CSRD data or your carbon footprint. So you avoid duplicate work, and it stays workable for your team.

ISO 53001 does not stand alone either. All ISO management standards share the same basic structure, so you can easily combine them into one integrated management system. We also guide you with ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 50001 (energy), ISO 46001 (water) and ISO 20121 (sustainable events). Discover our ISO services.

Curious which standard delivers most for your business? Talk to one of our experts.