Global Governance and the Certification Revolution: Types, Trends and Challenges

Abstract

In the last two decades one can observe the emergence and development of private global governance regimes which regulate internationally manufactured and traded products. These private regulatory initiatives develop specific social and/or ecological standards. When products, organisations or production processes meet these standards they receive a certificate. This chapter outlines different types of private governance initiatives, analyses the major trends with regard to private governance and discusses the main challenges. The chapter stresses that there are many different types of initiative and argues that a typology framework should enable researchers to capture the dynamics in the field of private governance. For this purpose a governance matrix is developed in two dimensions, i.e. who sets the standards and how they are implemented. Secondly, this chapter identifies two major trends, namely a sharp increase in the use of certification systems and increasing recognition from (international) public authorities and policymakers. Finally, the chapter discusses four main challenges with which these systems are confronted, with a specific focus on scale and scope, legitimacy, coordination and cooperation and equity.