Effects of voluntary certifications on sustainable development goals

Sustainability implies a development model that involves businesses and consumers, shifting attention to production systems which implement criteria of greater responsibility in social, environmental and economic terms. So far, many companies are adopting voluntary certifications (VCs) which confirm that they have carried out the certification procedures and that the product, process, or service requirements comply with specified requirements. VCs provide a detailed specification of the environmental and social standards that must be respected in the production processes. This paper aims to evaluate which sustainable development goals (SDGs) are most affected by VCs and analyzes the ways they support sustainable development. Using qualitative content analysis, the study explores the mechanisms behind VCs' role in promoting these global goals, offering insights into their strategic impact on a sustainable future. Our results indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship among VCs and SDGs, and specific SDGs are identified. This research provides useful insights to support governmental organizations for policy interventions in creating an enabling environment for the use of VCs in both developed and developing countries.