International Sustainable Conformity Assessment Initiative
Driving Global Sustainability through Conformity Assessment
Welcome to the International Sustainable Conformity Assessment Initiative (INSCAI), a global non-profit organization, Global Accreditation Cooperation Stakeholder Member (ex IAF Association Member), dedicated to advancing sustainability through the development and promotion of conformity assessment schemes. Our work ensures that industries, governments, and organizations align with the highest sustainability standards to create a greener and fairer future for all.
Our Services
Research & Innovation
INSCAI invests in applied research and innovation aimed at advancing sustainability assessment methodologies globally. By partnering with universities, think tanks, and industry leaders, we ensure that our approaches to sustainability measurement and improvement are scientifically robust and continuously updated to reflect the latest international best practices.
Certification & Standards
As a scheme owner, INSCAI develops and implements internationally recognized certification schemes and standards that promote sustainability across various industries. Our schemes are designed to comply with and complement existing international frameworks such as ISO standards and sector-specific conventions. This work directly supports the IAF’s mission to foster trustworthy and harmonized certification systems.
Advocacy
INSCAI actively advocates for embedding sustainability principles within conformity assessment and certification frameworks. Our goal is to enhance awareness of how certification schemes can drive environmental protection, social equity, and economic responsibility.
Get Involved
BECOME A MEMBER (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP)
If you’re a private individual or organization interested in advancing sustainability via conformity assessment, INSCAI welcomes your membership. (Public Universities are free of charge)
BECOME AN INCENTIVE PROVIDER
INSCAI incentive providers are organizations and service/products suppliers that want to support and enhance sustainability and to promote the highest quality standards.
BECOME AN INSCAI Ambassador
The INSCAI Non-Profit Organization Ambassador acts as a key representative and advocate for INSCAI, promoting its mission, values, and campaigns to the public, stakeholders, and partners at local, national, and international levels.
BECOME AN INSCAI Honorary Member
INSCAI recognizes Honorary Members as Governments, Accreditation Bodies, and Standardization Organizations that play a pivotal role in shaping global sustainability frameworks. By joining INSCAI, they provide institutional credibility, strengthen international cooperation, and ensure alignment with recognized standards and governance practices at local, national, and international levels.
These criteria apply to all applicants.
Exclusionary Criteria – Applicants cannot join if they:
- Are subject to a UN sanction;
- Are listed on the UN Ineligible Vendors List for ethical reasons;
Positive Commitment Criteria – All applicants must:
- Operate responsibly, in alignment with universal sustainability principles;
- Take actions that support the society around them;
- Commit from the highest organizational level, embedding sustainability into their core strategy;
- Report annually on ongoing sustainability efforts;
- Engage locally where they have a presence.
Approval by the INSCAI Membership Committee
All applications are subject to review and approval by the INSCAI Membership Committee.
| Membership Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual Member | €60 |
| Corporate Member | €240 |
| Incentive Provider | €240 |
| Ambassador | No fee is required; instead, Ambassadors dedicate their time and efforts to representing and promoting INSCAI’s mission. |
| Honorary Member | No fee is required; Honorary Members contribute through their institutional role in governance, accreditation, and standardization, providing credibility and strengthening the global sustainability framework. |
For applications submitted after the mid-year point, the annual fee of €240 is reduced to €120.
Who We Are
The International Sustainable Conformity Assessment Initiative (INSCAI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, implementation, and promotion of conformity assessment schemes that advance sustainable practices across diverse industries worldwide.
Founded in response to the growing global demand for credible, harmonized sustainability standards, INSCAI works closely with industry leaders, governments, standardization bodies, and other stakeholders to ensure sustainability is fully integrated into sector-specific certification frameworks.
INSCAI’s mission aligns with the core objectives of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) by developing trustworthy, transparent, and internationally recognized schemes that support sustainable development and responsible business practices.
INSCAI is proud to be a Stakeholder Member of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (ex Association Member of the International Accreditation Forum). This membership reinforces our commitment to international standards, credibility, and collaboration in developing trustworthy conformity assessment schemes that support sustainable development across industries worldwide.
Our Vision
To be a global leader in driving the transition towards a sustainable future by developing and promoting robust, transparent, and innovative conformity assessment schemes that empower organizations worldwide to improve their sustainability performance and accountability.
Our Values
Our Mission: Conformity for a Sustainable World
The mission of INSCAI is to develop and promote conformity assessment schemes that ensure industries, governments, and organizations comply with internationally recognized sustainability standards. We strive to empower stakeholders by providing clear, actionable, and credible certification and compliance frameworks that support environmental protection, social equity, and economic sustainability.
Our Approach:
- Setting the Standard: Collaborating with international bodies to create and continuously refine sustainability standards that industries can effectively align with.
- Enabling Progress: Facilitating sustainable transitions through targeted training, innovative research, and strategic partnerships across sectors.
Accepted Accreditation bodies
INSCAI is pleased to collaborate with Accreditation Bodies (ABs) worldwide that recognize and commit to accrediting management systems under INSCAI’s Certification Schemes in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17000 series.
These ABs provide accreditation services to our licensed Certification Bodies (CBs), enabling them to demonstrate compliance with the specific requirements of the relevant INSCAI scheme.
All recognized Accreditation Bodies have entered into formal agreements with INSCAI to mutually uphold and facilitate trust in the integrity and credibility of certificates issued under INSCAI schemes by accredited Certification Bodies.
To maintain the highest levels of competence and ensure consistent and equivalent application of standards globally, all ABs partnering with INSCAI are required to:
- Comply with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011
- Be members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
- Be signatories to the relevant IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA)
Through these requirements, INSCAI guarantees that accreditation and certification processes under its schemes meet internationally accepted best practices and foster global trust.