We help organizations organize responsibilities, methods and traceable evidence for nature dependencies and impacts, sites and value chains, risks and opportunities, action targets and monitoring.
Service classification and standard position
Management guidance and assurance preparation
ISO 17298 provides requirements and guidance for integrating biodiversity into organizational strategy and operations. It is not a competence standard for verification bodies. Our support focuses on management arrangements, evidence preparation and connections to disclosure.
Who should consider this and when
Suitable for organizations establishing biodiversity management processes, responding to customer requirements or preparing for external review. Confirm the intended use, organizational role, sites and reporting scope before selecting criteria.
Advisory focus
- Nature dependencies and impacts: identify ecosystem services relied upon and actual or potential effects.
- Sites and value chain: map operational locations, suppliers and relevant downstream activities.
- Risks and opportunities: assess nature-related operational, regulatory, financial and stakeholder considerations.
- Actions, targets and monitoring: define responsibilities, measurable actions, indicators and review cycles.
Support approach
- Confirm scope and criteria: discuss purpose, applicable guidance, boundaries and stakeholder requirements; document assumptions and exclusions.
- Review current state and gaps: examine site and value-chain information, dependencies, impacts, risks, opportunities and monitoring records.
- Prepare documents and pilot: organize procedures, forms and an evidence index, then test the approach on a selected site or activity.
- Simulate review and improve: check consistency and evidence sufficiency against agreed criteria and track improvements. Confirm any independent third-party review provider and scope separately.
Information to prepare
- Organization and site details, products or services in scope, and intended use.
- Existing biodiversity information, location data, supplier records, assessments and procedures.
- Customer, regulatory or program requirements and previous audit or assurance findings.
- Responsible departments, available staff, data gaps and target schedule.
Possible deliverables
Depending on scope: a gap list, work procedures, responsibility assignments, record forms, evidence index and improvement tracking. Technical reports and independent third-party review are agreed separately at project start.
Timing and fees
Assessment depends on the number of sites, data quality, organizational and value-chain complexity, and review scope. Existing information is reviewed first, then deliverables, resources and milestones are agreed.
Frequently asked questions
Does advisory support mean a certificate or assurance statement will be issued?
Advisory support helps prepare management arrangements and evidence. Any certificate or independent opinion depends on the applicable program and a qualified, independent body. ISO 17298 is not a certification-body competence standard.
Must an existing system be rewritten?
First check whether existing procedures and evidence remain applicable. Retain effective practices and revise identified gaps.