Regulating Transnational Sustainability Regimes

The book explores the emergence and consolidation of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) as private standards defining sustainability-related product features, assessing their success in mediating between economic and non-economic concerns of global production. It examines how public authorities can control, coordinate, and review VSS through legal requirements and incentives in European Union and World Trade Organisation law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The book delves into the fascinating realm of the emergence and consolidation of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), private standards that define sustainability-related product features. It provides a comprehensive assessment of their success and potential in mediating between the economic and non-economic concerns of global production. Despite their voluntary and private nature, VSS have far-reaching consequences for producers seeking certification, consumers purchasing certified products, and other stakeholders affected by their standards.

In the European Union (EU), public authorities have recognized the value of VSS and have incorporated them as a functional complement to public measures regulating global value chains. At this critical juncture of market proliferation and public reliance on private regimes, this book explores how public authorities can effectively control, coordinate, and review VSS. It examines the potential avenues for regulation through substantive and procedural legal requirements within the domain of European Union law and World Trade Organisation law, as well as the incentives offered by VSS employment in public measures.

The book begins by providing an overview of the historical development and current landscape of VSS. It explores the motivations behind their creation, the challenges faced in their establishment, and the various mechanisms employed to ensure their credibility and enforceability. The authors then delve into the key aspects of VSS regulation, including the establishment of certification systems, the criteria for product certification, and the role of third-party verification and monitoring.

The book also examines the impact of VSS on producers, consumers, and other stakeholders. It explores how VSS can enhance the reputation and competitiveness of producers, provide consumers with confidence in the sustainability of their purchases, and contribute to the overall sustainability agenda. However, the book also raises important questions about the potential risks and limitations of VSS, such as the potential for greenwashing, the lack of transparency and accountability, and the potential for conflicts of interest.

To address these challenges, the book proposes a range of regulatory strategies. It advocates for the development of robust certification systems that prioritize transparency, accountability, and sustainability throughout the supply chain. It suggests the establishment of independent oversight bodies to ensure the integrity of certification processes and the enforcement of standards. Additionally, the book proposes the use of incentives, such as tax breaks and market access, to encourage the adoption of VSS by producers and the integration of VSS into public measures.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the regulation of voluntary sustainability standards. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the successes and challenges of VSS, and proposes innovative regulatory strategies to ensure their effective implementation and coordination. By exploring the interplay between public authorities, producers, consumers, and other stakeholders, this book aims to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and responsible global production system.

Weight: 674g
ISBN-13: 9781108837576