Expanding our IECQ Verification Portfolio

We have been officially approved by the IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ) to offer two innovative and globally relevant sustainability verification schemes:

• Verification Scheme for Carbon Footprint of Products (VS-CFP)
• Approved Process – Environmental Conscious Design (AP-ECD)

These verifications are now available to clients across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, significantly expanding our sustainability services beyond traditional sectors.

While IECQ has traditionally been associated with the electronics industry, these new schemes represent a major evolution. Designed to be industry-agnostic, they are among the first of their kind to be governed by an internationally recognized verification body with a strong foundation in electronic components and environmental assurance. This positions them as a credible and independent alternative to self-declared or non-accredited sustainability claims.

A distinctive edge in a competitive market

As demand for verified environmental data and sustainable product development continues to surge—driven by regulatory requirements, customer expectations and global decarbonization goals—these IECQ schemes provide organizations with a clear competitive advantage.

Unlike other schemes that may rely on non-accredited verification or internal assessments, IECQ-certified programs offer internationally benchmarked credibility, helping clients build trust with stakeholders and access markets that increasingly require third-party assurance.

Business benefits

By verifying under these schemes, businesses can:

• Enhance credibility: provide verified, transparent reporting of product-level carbon footprint data that meets the expectations of customers, investors and regulators
• Stand out in the market: differentiate from competitors through independently certified environmental commitments that can be leveraged in tenders, procurement processes and ESG reporting
• Optimize design for sustainability: improve product development through environmentally conscious design, reducing lifecycle impacts and reinforcing long-term sustainability strategies
• Manage risk proactively: identify and disclose environmental stress factors to strengthen supply chain decision-making and resilience
• Demonstrate leadership: align with global best practices and signal commitment to sustainability through a robust, accredited pathway.

These verifications are also offered as flexible, standalone solutions, meaning clients can pursue them whether or not they are already engaged in broader sustainability or compliance frameworks.

Driving innovation in sustainability assurance

Neil Willings, Head of Sustainability and Supply Chain Services at SGS, said: "We're seeing a real turning point in the market for product carbon and environmental standards. These new IECQ schemes give businesses of all sizes and sectors a practical way to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices. We are proud to be at the forefront of delivering these services globally, offering independent verification that builds trust and drives positive change."

We have a long-standing relationship with IECQ, having previously delivered schemes covering restricted substances and electrostatic discharge (ESD). The addition of VS-CFP and AP-ECD reflects both a deepening collaboration and a strategic response to urgent market needs.

Take the next step

To learn more about how these verifications can help your organization lead in sustainability, please contact:

Moro Chen
Global PM, IECQ QC 080000 and associated service
Business Assurance
Phone: +86 (0)20 8207 5190
Mobile: +86 139 2602 6539