Initiative to Establish “Global VSS Day”


September 25th, 2025, Geneva


About ODCCN (Organization for Trade Development and Standards Cooperation)

The Organization for Trade Development and Standards Cooperation (ODCCN) is an international non-governmental organization registered in Geneva, Switzerland. ODCCN is committed to promoting inclusive, interconnected, and sustainable global trade through the development and coordination of standards. The vision of ODCCN is “Better Standards for Better Trade, Better Trade for a Better World”.For more information, please visit: www.odccn.org

Background and Rationale

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN SDG 2030) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2015, during the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held in New York. The official resolution is A/RES/70/1, titled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

September 25, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN SDG 2030). In the past decade, the global community has made encouraging progress while also facing complex challenges in advancing inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development. Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are playing an increasingly vital role in promoting environmental protection, social well-being, and market responsibility.

In this context, ODCCN proposes to collaborate with other stakeholders, designate September 25 each year as “Global VSS Day” from 2025 to enhance awareness of the value of VSS in sustainable trade, inspire multi-stakeholder collaboration, and promote a fairer, more transparent, and sustainable global market ecosystem.


Objectives of the Initiative of “Global VSS Day”
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1. Raise global awareness: Enhance understanding and recognition of VSS among governments, enterprises, consumers, and civil society;

2. Foster dialogue and cooperation: Provide a platform for stakeholder coordination, capacity building, and exchange of best practices;

3. Promote responsible trade: Encourage the adoption of VSS to improve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance;

4. Support SDG implementation: Showcase how VSS contribute to SDGs, particularly SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Proposed Activities
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During Global VSS Day each year, ODCCN will encourage and coordinate global partners to organize a range of activities, such as:

- Multilateral and regional roundtables, forums, and    seminars;

- Showcasing VSS achievements and case studies;

- Public awareness and education campaigns targeting enterprises and consumers;

- Policy dialogues and joint initiatives for standards harmonization;

- Joint declarations or collaborative actions by VSS certification bodies and standard setters;

- Annual release of VSS impact reports and industry trend briefings.


Long-Term Vision and Impact

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Global VSS Day will become a flagship global event for sustainable trade governance. Expected long-term impacts include:

-  Establishing a global VSS knowledge network to foster mutual learning and trust;

-  Increasing participation of developing countries in VSS development and adoption;

- Empowering SMEs, women-led enterprises, and marginalized actors in global markets;

- Enhancing market visibility and acceptance of sustainable goods and services;

- Aligning VSS practices more closely with national policies and trade rules.


Bridging Awareness Gaps and Raising Visibility

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Despite their growing relevance, VSS are still misunderstood by many around the world. Common misconceptions include:

- Equating VSS with mandatory government standards or technical norms;

- Confusing the roles of VSS and ISO/IEC/ITU international standards;

- Overlooking the value of VSS in local governance, corporate responsibility, and consumer protection.


ODCCN invites the following stakeholders to endorse

and support the Global VSS Day initiative:

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- UN agencies, intergovernmental and regional organizations;

- National governments and trade/standards authorities;

- Standards development organizations and VSS certification bodies;

- Businesses, industry associations, retailers, and procurement platforms;

- Civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, and consumer groups.

Together, we can transform Global VSS Day into a global public platform for sustainable development. We believe:

Better standards for better trade, Better trade for a better world.

Contact Information

To join the initiative or learn more, please contact:

Organization: Organization for Trade Development and Standards Cooperation (ODCCN)

Email: secretariat@odccn.org

Website: www.odccn.org