Conformity Topic List

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Conformity Topic Classification

Below is a very early draft of a 2-level ESG classification scheme for sustainability criteria and including references to the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The taxonomy includes 8 top-level categories, each with 8-12 second-level categories, ensuring coverage of quality, safety, and sustainability criteria.

This classification is an early draft for discussion only. It is likely to evolve considerably until consensus is reached.

Machine Readable Versions

• JSON Structure
• JSON-LD vocabulary

Human Readable Version

Top-Level Category 1: Ecological Resilience

• Description: Emphasizes environmental protection, resource conservation, and climate resilience.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15); OECD Guidelines (Chapter VI: Environment).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Carbon Footprint Reduction (SDG 13) - Minimizing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Environmental Sustainability, UNTP environment.emissions).
  2. Renewable Energy Use (SDG 7) - Transition to sustainable energy sources (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 7 - Energy Efficiency, UNTP environment.energy).
  3. Water Conservation (SDG 6) - Sustainable water management (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Water Use, UNTP environment.water).
  4. Waste Minimization (SDG 12) - Reducing waste generation (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 6 - Waste Prevention, UNTP environment.waste).
  5. Ecosystem Preservation (SDG 15) - Protecting biodiversity (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Biodiversity Impact, UNTP environment.biodiversity).
  6. Forest Conservation (SDG 15) - Preventing deforestation (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Resource Use, UNTP environment.deforestation).
  7. Recycled Material Integration (SDG 12) - Use of secondary materials (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 8 - Recycled Content, UNTP circularity.content).
  8. Sustainable Product Design (SDG 12) - Design for circularity (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Durability and Recyclability, UNTP circularity.design).
  9. Chemical Safety (SDG 12) - Restriction of hazardous substances (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Substance Restrictions).

Top-Level Category 2: Human Equity and Welfare

• Description: Focuses on human rights, fair labor, and community support.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10); OECD Guidelines (Chapter IV: Human Rights, Chapter V: Employment and Industrial Relations).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Rights and Equality (SDG 10) - Ensuring non-discrimination (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Sustainability, UNTP social.rights).
  2. Decent Work Conditions (SDG 8) - Fair wages and hours (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Supply Chain Due Diligence, UNTP social.labour).
  3. Workplace Safety (SDG 3) - Protecting worker health (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Impact, UNTP social.safety).
  4. Community Empowerment (SDG 1) - Supporting local development (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Stakeholder Engagement, UNTP social.community).
  5. Worker Representation (SDG 8) - Freedom of association (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Labor Rights).
  6. Forced Labor Elimination (SDG 8) - Preventing exploitation (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Human Rights Due Diligence).
  7. Youth Protection (SDG 8) - Safeguarding young workers (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Child Labor Ban).
  8. Gender Equity (SDG 5) - Promoting diversity (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Sustainability).

Top-Level Category 3: Ethical Governance

• Description: Promotes integrity, accountability, and transparent practices.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (16); OECD Guidelines (Chapter II: General Policies, Chapter VII: Combating Bribery).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Anti-Corruption Measures (SDG 16) - Preventing bribery (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance Requirements, UNTP governance.ethics).
  2. Open Reporting (SDG 16) - Transparent ESG disclosures (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Information Requirements, UNTP governance.transparency).
  3. Legal Compliance (SDG 16) - Adhering to regulations (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 4 - Compliance Obligations, UNTP governance.compliance).
  4. Responsible Procurement (SDG 16) - Ethical supply chains (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Supply Chain Responsibility).
  5. Stakeholder Inclusion (SDG 16) - Engaging affected parties (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Stakeholder Dialogue).
  6. Data Privacy (SDG 16) - Protecting personal information (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Digital Product Passport).
  7. IP Protection (SDG 16) - Respecting intellectual property (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance Standards).
  8. Competitive Fairness (SDG 16) - Ensuring fair market practices (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance).

Top-Level Category 4: Product Integrity

• Description: Ensures products are safe, reliable, and sustainable.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (9, 12); OECD Guidelines (Chapter VIII: Consumer Interests).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Product Safety Standards (SDG 12) - Ensuring consumer safety (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Safety Requirements, UNTP social.safety).
  2. Quality Performance (SDG 9) - Meeting performance specs (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Performance Standards).
  3. Substance Control (SDG 12) - Banning harmful materials (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Substance Restrictions).
  4. Product Longevity (SDG 12) - Enhancing durability (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Durability, UNTP circularity.design).
  5. Standards Adherence (SDG 9) - Compliance with certifications (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 4 - Ecodesign Requirements).
  6. Supply Chain Traceability (SDG 12) - Tracking origins (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Digital Product Passport, UNTP governance.transparency).
  7. Consumer Information (SDG 12) - Clear labeling (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 7 - Information Obligations).
  8. End-of-Life Management (SDG 12) - Effective recycling processes (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 6 - End-of-Life Requirements).

Top-Level Category 5: Circular Value Chains

• Description: Advances sustainability throughout supply and production networks.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (8, 12, 17); OECD Guidelines (Chapter II: General Policies, Chapter VI: Environment).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Ethical Material Sourcing (SDG 12) - Sustainable raw materials (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Supply Chain Due Diligence, UNTP governance.transparency).
  2. Supplier Sustainability (SDG 17) - ESG compliance in supply (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Supply Chain Responsibility).
  3. Resource Circularity (SDG 12) - Reuse and recycling (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 8 - Recycled Content, UNTP circularity.content).
  4. Energy Optimization (SDG 7) - Efficient supply chain energy use (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 7 - Energy Efficiency).
  5. Supply Chain Labor Rights (SDG 8) - Fair worker treatment (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Labor Standards).
  6. Origin Tracking (SDG 12) - Transparent supply chains (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Digital Product Passport).
  7. Supplier Development (SDG 17) - Building supplier capacity (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Supply Chain Support).
  8. Supply Chain Risk Reduction (SDG 12) - Mitigating vulnerabilities (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Risk Management).

Top-Level Category 6: Economic Sustainability

• Description: Balances profitability with sustainable economic impact.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (8, 9); OECD Guidelines (Chapter II: General Policies).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Business Resilience (SDG 8) - Long-term profitability (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance for Sustainability).
  2. Sustainable Investment (SDG 9) - Funding green initiatives (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Resource Efficiency).
  3. Green Innovation (SDG 9) - Developing sustainable tech (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Innovation Requirements).
  4. Employment Opportunities (SDG 8) - Job creation (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Impact).
  5. Regional Economic Growth (SDG 8) - Supporting local economies (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Community Benefits, UNTP social.community).
  6. Resource Efficiency (SDG 8) - Cost-effective resource use (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 7 - Efficiency Standards).
  7. Economic Risk Management (SDG 8) - Assessing financial risks (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance).
  8. Supply Network Strength (SDG 9) - Enhancing value chain stability (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Supply Chain Resilience).

Top-Level Category 7: Health and Safety Assurance

• Description: Prioritizes health and safety for workers and communities.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (3); OECD Guidelines (Chapter V: Employment and Industrial Relations).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Workplace Hazard Control (SDG 3) - Reducing risks (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Sustainability, UNTP social.safety).
  2. Emergency Readiness (SDG 3) - Preparedness plans (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Safety Measures).
  3. Exposure Management (SDG 3) - Controlling harmful agents (e.g., EU ESPR Annex I - Substance Safety).
  4. Living Conditions (SDG 3) - Safe worker accommodations (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Worker Welfare).
  5. Healthcare Access (SDG 3) - Providing medical support (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Health Provisions).
  6. Well-Being Support (SDG 3) - Addressing mental health (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Social Impact).
  7. Nutrition Standards (SDG 3) - Ensuring safe food provisions (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Worker Welfare).
  8. Ergonomic Design (SDG 3) - Safe physical work environments (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Product Safety).

Top-Level Category 8: Systemic Sustainability

• Description: Establishes frameworks for managing and improving ESG outcomes.
• Mappings: UN SDGs (12, 16); OECD Guidelines (Chapter II: General Policies).
• Second-Level Categories:
  1. Sustainability Policies (SDG 16) - Formal ESG commitments (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 11 - Governance Framework).
  2. Risk Identification (SDG 12) - Assessing ESG risks (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Due Diligence).
  3. Outcome Tracking (SDG 12) - Monitoring performance (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Reporting Requirements).
  4. Capacity Building (SDG 12) - Training stakeholders (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Stakeholder Support).
  5. Process Enhancement (SDG 12) - Continuous improvement (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 5 - Performance Improvement).
  6. Feedback Channels (SDG 16) - Grievance mechanisms (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 10 - Stakeholder Engagement).
  7. Compliance Verification (SDG 16) - Audits and checks (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 4 - Compliance Monitoring).
  8. Transparent Communication (SDG 16) - Public ESG reporting (e.g., EU ESPR Art. 12 - Information Disclosure, UNTP governance.transparency).