Frequently asked questions

IGSF – acronym for International Group for Sustainable Finance – is a global organization for financial and extra-financial standardization, based in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its goal is to unite and organize international efforts in financial and extra-financial standardization.

Through a structured approach alongside international experts, IGSF acts as an independent standardization organization, responsible for the standardization and dissemination of financial and extra-financial standards. Leveraging its global network, IGSF collects and centralizes international data and regulations on financial and extra-financial compliance, enabling better operational use, processing, and harmonization of this information to support standardization and certification activities.

IGSF focuses on both certifiable and non-certifiable standards, including ISO, MSI, AML, ESG, IFRS, and others.

IGSF is a non-profit NGO. All members must demonstrate solid experience in financial governance, social responsibility, and combating financial crime.

To participate in IGSF’s various working committees, you are invited to submit your application.

IGSF works mainly on two major axes: first, the technical organization of standards, and second, the dissemination of these standards to promote best practices in financial and extra-financial governance. IGSF ensures that accredited certification bodies comply with a set of criteria, including the requirements of ISO 17021, within the framework of evaluation and certification processes.

• Strengthen compliance with internal regulations and requirements.

• Reassure third parties with factual evidence and trust indicators.

• Protect against the risk of sanctions and reputational damage.

• Promote best practices in ethics, governance, and transparency.

• Support access to financing and investment.

• Provide reliable and independent benchmarks within an ecosystem.

• Offer competitive advantages through differentiation.

• Deliver concrete commitments for continuous improvement.

• Provide strong arguments for value creation and attractiveness.

• Foster the establishment of a compliance-oriented culture.

The certification process is based on specific certifiable standards established by standardization bodies, requiring compliance with the requirements of each standard’s specifications. This process sets benchmarks and indicators to provide better visibility and differentiation for operators. Accredited certification bodies assess operators’ conformity to the standards, in strict accordance with ISO 17021.

The principle of certification to a given standard relies on a proven mechanism. The requirements to become an accredited certification body are strict and rigorous, ensuring the reliability and legitimacy of their work. For entities receiving certification, obtaining a certificate of conformity represents a real competitive advantage, enabling companies to stand out in their market.

ISO 17021 establishes the requirements for competence, consistency, and impartiality in the evaluation of management systems for certification. Certification bodies strictly follow these rules to maintain reliability and independence principles.