The Objectives of Standards and How Firms Use Them

Abstract

Although often lumped together, the many voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) used today are not at all alike. As a whole they do tend to deal with the areas not functionally addressed by most firms and global trading structures. Some of the fastest-growing and more prevalent sustainability standards are Fairtrade International and Fair Trade USA, Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance, and UTZ Certified.