ISO TS 17033-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/TS 17033:2019 — Ethical claims and supporting information — Principles and requirements. A Technical Specification that sets out principles and requirements for development, declaration and presentation of ethical claims about products, processes, services or organizations, and for providing supporting information where specific standards do not exist or to supplement them.

Abstract

This technical specification provides principles and requirements to help organizations make credible, clear and substantiated ethical claims (for example relating to fair trade, animal welfare, local sourcing, labour conditions and other social or ethical aspects). It is intended for all types of organizations and supports the development of aspect‑specific or sector‑specific claim programmes and the provision of supporting information for consumers and other interested parties.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed following review).
• Publication date: 20 August 2019.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 03.120.20 — Product and company certification. Conformity assessment.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 — Technical Specification (ISO/TS).
• Number of pages: 15.

Scope

Contains principles and requirements for developing and declaring ethical claims and for providing supporting information where specific standards have not been developed, or to supplement existing standards. Applicable to ethical claims relating to products, processes, services or organizations and usable by any type of organization; it also supports those seeking to understand and implement ethical claim programmes (aspect‑specific or sector‑specific).

Key topics and requirements

• Principles that guide ethical claims: accuracy, clarity, relevance, transparency, equity and involvement of interested parties.
• Requirement to define the scope of the claim clearly (what is and is not included) and to identify the relevant life‑cycle or supply‑chain boundaries.
• Need for substantiation: verifiable supporting data and information to back claims, distinguishing between supporting data and broader supporting information.
• Guidance on comparative ethical claims (requirements to avoid misleading comparisons and to be explicit about the basis of comparison).
• Transparency about methodologies, assumptions, indicators, timeframes and any exclusions or limitations.
• Expectation to involve relevant interested parties (including stakeholders in developing countries) in development of criteria where appropriate.
• Advice on maintenance, review and update of claims to reflect innovation, best practice and changed conditions.
• Recommendation to use more specific consensus standards where they exist (the specification is complementary to existing environmental and social standards and conformity assessment guidance).

Typical use and users

Used by producers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, brand owners, retailers, standard developers and scheme operators who make or manage ethical claims; also useful for certification and conformity assessment bodies, regulators, consumer organisations, NGOs and independent verifiers seeking consistent, credible claim practices and supporting information for end users. The specification aims to improve consumer confidence and comparability of ethical information.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside the ISO 14020 series on environmental labelling and declarations, ISO/IEC conformity assessment standards (for example ISO/IEC 17029), ISO 26000 (social responsibility), ISO/TR 14067 and various sector‑ or aspect‑specific standards and guidance used to substantiate particular ethical claims. It is intended to complement, not replace, more detailed aspect‑specific standards and schemes.

Keywords

ethical claims, supporting information, transparency, substantiation, life‑cycle scope, conformity assessment, social responsibility, equity, claim verification

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TS 17033:2019 is a Technical Specification that provides internationally agreed principles and requirements for developing, declaring and providing supporting information for ethical claims about products, processes, services or organizations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers principles (accuracy, relevance, transparency, equity, stakeholder involvement), requirements for defining claim scope, substantiation with supporting data and information, rules for comparative claims, and guidance on presentation, maintenance and review of ethical claims.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Producers, manufacturers, brand owners, retailers, scheme operators, conformity assessment bodies, regulators, NGOs and consumer groups — anyone involved in creating, managing, verifying or interpreting ethical claims and related supporting information.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition published in August 2019 is current; the document was reviewed and confirmed in 2023 following ISO’s review cycle, so this version remains in force.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone Technical Specification that complements related ISO guidance and standards (notably the ISO 14020 series on environmental labelling and various ISO/IEC conformity assessment and social responsibility documents). It is intended to be used alongside more specific standards where those exist.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ethical claims, supporting information, transparency, substantiation, life‑cycle, conformity assessment, equity, stakeholder involvement.