About Our Company

Providing global leadership in third-party environmental, sustainability, food safety and quality certification, auditing, and standards development since 1984.

Since 1984, SCS has been a pioneer and leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food and agriculture, consumer products and climate sectors. Partnering with companies, government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders, we are striving to advance sustainable development goals through independent assessment, the application of sound science, and innovative solutions. Through these services, we are enabling decision-makers and purchasers to make informed decisions, giving innovators a competitive edge, and helping to drive the development of leadership standards to create a framework for continuous improvement.

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Vision & Mission

Our Vision
A sustainable future that safeguards our environment and our climate, respects and supports the dignity, health and wellbeing of workers and communities, and raises the standard of living for all.
 

Our Mission
To achieve this vision, we have established programs and services designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of companies, institutions, and organizations who are meeting the highest levels of performance in environmental protection, social/ethical responsibility, product safety and quality, while stimulating continuous improvement on the path toward sustainability. In this undertaking, we employ a life-cycle framework, state-of-the-art science, proven analytical methods, performance metrics and professional expertise.
 

Our Commitment
To deliver world-class professional service, uphold our integrity as a neutral third-party, and continually improve our programs and services in order to have the greatest possible positive impact.
 

Our Human Rights Policy
SCS pledges to actively work to prevent and address negative human rights impacts related to our activities, including our operations, services, and business relationships. SCS is a member of the United Nations Global Compact solidifying our commitment to uphold the dignity, health, and well-being of workers and communities, consistent with our vision and mission. You can read our policy here.

Our Contributions

Together with our clients and partners, we are actively impacting the world around us:

  • Advancing sustainable agriculture
  • Securing supply chain integrity
  • Assuring food safety and quality from farm to fork
  • Promoting indoor air quality for building products, furnishings and finishes
  • Encouraging resource conservation and recycling
  • Protecting fragile ecosystems on land and in the ocean
  • Reducing company carbon footprints
  • Supporting informed decision-making
  • Stimulating innovation

Our Role As A Neutral Third Party

Third-party audits, test results, and certifications provide the independent perspective needed to help our clients evaluate their own performance, identify improvement opportunities, determine the best steps forward, and reassure customers and stakeholders.

We vigorously uphold our third-party status through the following steps:

  • Independence

    SCS is beholden to no other organization or entity

  • Fee-for-Service Only

    Our fees are transparent, and not attached to the outcome of any audit assessment or certification, or to the volume of sales of certified products

  • Quality

    Our internal quality system and outside accreditations insulate us from commercial, financial and other pressures that might influence the findings of a certification, verification or validation, and interpretations of test results.

  • Avoiding Conflict of Interest

    All staff and contractors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and each SCS Program Director and Manager is responsible for identifying, analyzing and documenting potential conflicts of interest in order to avoid such conflicts.

Our History

Since we were founded in 1984, sustainability has become a key business driver around the globe. Here are some of the exciting milestones in our history.

ProTerra Certification
ProTerra Certification
SCS becomes an authorized certification body under the ProTerra certification program.
Recycled Content Certification Annex for Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Recycled Content Certification Annex for Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Launches new Recycled Content certification for the electrical and electronic equipment industries.
ATFS
American Tree Farm System Standard (ATFS) Certification
SCS becomes accredited to offer American Tree System Standard (ATFS) certification to private landowners and family-owned forests.

A Benefit Corporation

Founded in 1984 as Ohlone Inc., we became Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) in 1988, a name which better communicated our efforts to apply rigorous science to the task of third-party certification of claims, paying attention to holistic, system-wide ramifications. In 2012, we became SCS Global Services, communicating our international reach, and reorganized as one of California’s first Benefit Corporations, a class of corporation that has a corporate purpose to create a material positive impact on society and the environment.