Summary
This policy brief investigates how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can support governments in advancing and reporting progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). It maps the social and environmental criteria of 13 VSSs against 10 targets from five SDGs and analyses VNRs from India, Tanzania, and Uganda to identify areas of potential collaboration. The report uses document review and comparative analysis to assess overlap between VSS requirements and national SDG reporting practices. Findings show significant alignment between VSSs and SDGs—especially SDGs 6 (clean water), 8 (decent work), and 12 (responsible consumption)—but also highlight persistent data and coordination gaps. To address these, the report recommends that governments engage VSS stakeholders in VNR processes, identify institutional mechanisms for collaboration, and use VSS-generated data to improve SDG tracking. It also suggests collecting case studies and fostering partnerships to mobilise investment and replicate good practices.