ESGOS

Methodology

Every badge on ESGOS is derived from current, confirmed verifications by these rules — nothing is scored, weighted, or editorial. Version 1.0.0. If these rules change, the version changes.

Every verification these rules are computed from is published free, in full, to everyone, with no account, key or contract — the distribution policy states the terms in full, including that related entities read this site on exactly the same ones.

What a tier is

A tier is an evidence-completeness classification, not a rating. It says which kinds of verified evidence an organisation's profile currently carries — it does not say the organisation is good, and it is not investment, procurement, or compliance advice. Tiers are recomputed from the underlying verifications every time a profile changes; they are never stored as standalone truth.

The ladder

  • listed The profile is claimed and has at least one current, confirmed verification.
  • silver At least one current third-party certification has been verified (for example an accredited ISO 14001 certificate).
  • gold Silver, plus at least one verified disclosure filing under a recognised framework.
  • platinum Gold, plus filings under two or more recognised frameworks — and a clean record: no rejected or lapsed verification anywhere on the profile.

An unclaimed profile, or one with no current confirmed verification, carries no badge.

Recognised frameworks

ISSB · GRI · CSDS · NSRF · BRSR · MSX30

Registry checks

Some claims on ESGOS are marked verified without a document review: where a scheme owner publishes an authoritative register — the SBTi target dashboard, the EU EMAS register, B Lab’s directory, the RE100 member list, the EPEAT registry — we confirm a claim directly against that register and say so in the verification record, naming the registry and retrieval date. Registry checks expire after 12 months (or on the register’s own stated date, where it publishes one) and are then re-confirmed. A claim sourced from an organisation’s own website is never auto-verified: it stays visibly unverified until a reviewer confirms it against the issuing body.

Expiry and degradation

Verifications carry the expiry date of the document behind them. When one lapses, the badge degrades automatically at the next recomputation — there is no grace period and no manual override. A lapsed or rejected verification also counts as a blemish, which blocks platinum until it is resolved with fresh evidence.

Disputes and corrections

Anyone may dispute a listing. Our service levels:

  • Acknowledgement within 5 business days of receipt.
  • Decision within 30 days, by a named reviewer.
  • Upheld disputes produce a public, timestamped correction on the profile — the record of what changed, and why, stays visible.

A listing is never altered on receipt of a dispute — only on a reviewer's decision. Contested listings can be suppressed from public view while under review; nothing is ever silently deleted.

Frequently asked questions

What does "verified" mean on ESGOS?
A claim is verified when it has been confirmed either directly against the scheme owner’s own public register (which the verification record names, with the retrieval date) or by a reviewer checking the underlying document. Anything else is labelled unverified and must not be described as verified.
Are ESGOS tiers ratings or scores?
No. A tier is an evidence-completeness classification: it says which kinds of verified evidence a profile currently carries. Nothing on ESGOS is scored, weighted, or editorial, and a tier is not investment, procurement, or compliance advice.
How long does a verification last?
Every verification carries an expiry: the document’s own end date, the register’s stated date, or 12 months for registry checks. When it lapses the badge degrades automatically at the next recomputation, with no grace period and no manual override.
How do I dispute a listing?
Anyone may dispute a listing from the link on its profile. Receipt is acknowledged within 5 business days, a named reviewer decides within 30 days, and an upheld dispute produces a public, timestamped correction on the profile.
How does an organisation get listed or claim its profile?
Listing and claiming are free. An organisation claims its profile by proving control of its domain — a DNS record or a work-email confirmation — and can then propose changes and submit evidence for verification.