The AA1000AS 2008:

  • is an internationally accepted, freely available standard that provides the requirements for conducting sustainability assurance
  • focuses on what is material to the organisation and its stakeholders
  • provides a means to go beyond mere verification of data
  • requires the assurance provider to provide assurance on the nature and extent of adherence to the AA1000 AccountAbility Principles, and where applicable, the quality of publicly disclosed information on sustainability performance
  • provides a means to capture and place in context a wide range of other verification and certification schemes that deal with specific dimensions of sustainability
  • provides a platform to better align the non-financial aspects of sustainability with financial performance

NB: The 2003 standard will continue to be accepted until December 2009, after which it will be withdrawn. There will be a mandatory license fee associated with commercial use of AA1000AS (2008).