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AWSStandardDevelopmentProcedureDraft1-2
AWSStandardsDevelopmentProcedure
Version1.0
Nov2016
ALLIANCEFORWATERSTEWARDSHIP(SCIO)
EdinburghCentreforCarbonInnovation(ECCI),HighSchoolYards,InfirmaryStreet,EdinburghEHI1LZ,ScotlandTEL:+44(0)1316514690|EMAIL:[email protected]
AWSisregisteredasaScottishCharitableIncorporatedOrganisation(SC045894
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AWSStandardSystemDevelopmentProcedure
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AWSStandardSystemDevelopmentProcedure
Contents Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 4
Responsibility for these Requirements ........................................................................ 4
AWS Standard System ................................................................................................ 5
AWS Standard Framework .......................................................................................... 5
A Introduction ........................................................................................................... 7
B Scope .................................................................................................................... 9
C Normative References .......................................................................................... 9
D Associated Guidance ............................................................................................ 9
E Terms and Definitions ........................................................................................... 9
1 GENERALPROVISIONS........................................................................................................10
2 STANDARDSDEVELOPMENT...............................................................................................10
3 STRUCTUREANDCONTENT................................................................................................17
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
PURPOSE
Thisdocumentsetsouttheprocedurefordevelopment,reviewandrevisionoftheAWSStandardandtheassociatedCertificationandInterimAccreditationRequirements.Itincludesthestructureandcontentofthestandardalongwiththerationaleforthresholdsofcompliance.
ThisdocumentisanormativereferencewhichwillbeusedalongsideothernormativeAWSdocumentstoassignresponsibilities,manageprocessesandsetdeadlinesforthetimelyandeffectivedevelopment,reviewandrevisionoftheAWsStandardSystem.Thisprocedureisintendedtoinformtheprocessofdevelopment,reviewandrevision,ratherthansetoutindetailhere.SuchprocesseswillbeformulatedandagreedbytheAWSTechnicalCommittee.
RESPONSIBILITYFORTHESEREQUIREMENTS
TheAWSTechnicalCommitteeisthebodyresponsiblefortheAWSStandardsDevelopmentProcedure.TheTechnicalCommitteewillreviewthecontentsofthisdocumentonanongoingbasis.Arecordofamendmentsisshownbelow.
AmendmentRecordVersionNo. DateofPublication DescriptionofAmendmentDraft1.3 Sept2016 PostTCComments
Draft1.4 Oct2016 BoardCommentsintegratedVersion1.0 Nov2016 Approved
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
AWSSTANDARDSYSTEM
AWSisthestandardssystemownerandkeeperofTheAWSInternationalWaterStewardshipStandard(“theAWSStandard”).Assuch,AWSisresponsibleforimplementationoftheAWSStandard,includingstandardsdevelopment,capacitybuilding,assurance,labellingandmonitoring.Toachievethesegoals,AWShasstructureditsstandardssystemintothreeprograms:verificationprogram,training&capacity-buildingprogram,andmembershipprogram(Figure1).Thesethreeprogramsarecomplementary.TheyservetoreinforceoneanothertoensurethattheAWSStandardSystemprovidesacredibleandrobustimplementationoftheAWSStandard.
Figure1.DiagramoftheAWSStandardSystem.
AWSStandardSystem
VerificationProgram
Training&CapacityBuildingProgram
MembershipProgram
AWSSTANDARDFRAMEWORK
TheAWSStandardSystemisrootedinfournormativedocumentswhich,together,comprisetheAWS‘StandardFramework’.ThescopeandinterrelationshipofthesenormativedocumentsisshowninTable1.
Table1.InterrelationofthefournormativedocumentsoftheAWSstandardsframework.
NormativeDocument Purpose ProgramPrimaryTarget
Audience
AWSStandard SetstheStandardAWSVerification
ProgramImplementers
CABs
AWSSelf-VerificationRequirements
Setstheprocessfor
self-verification
AWSVerificationProgram Implementers
AWSCertificationRequirements
Setstheprocessforcertification
AWSVerificationProgram
CABs
AWSorAB
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
AWSInterimAccreditationRequirements
Setsthecriteriaandtheprocessforaccreditation
AWSInterimAccreditationProgram
AWSVerificationProgram
&
AWSTraining&CapacityBuildingProgram
CABs
Trainers
Consultants
FirstandforemostisTheAWSInternationalWaterStewardshipStandardwhichlaysthefoundationoftheAWSStandardSystembyestablishingtheactions,criteriaandindicatorsforhowsitesshouldmanagewateratthesitelevelandhowwatershouldbestewardedbeyondtheboundariesofthesite.Thisisanormativedocumentwhichisapplicable,onavoluntarybasis,toanysitewishingtodemonstrateitsconformitywiththeAWSStandard.
ThesecondnormativedocumentoftheAWSstandardframeworkistheAWSSelf-VerificationRequirements.Thisdocumentdescribesthemandatoryrequirementsfortheprocessesofself-verificationwhicharetobefollowedbyimplementers.
ThethirdnormativedocumentoftheAWSstandardframeworkistheAWSCertificationRequirements(i.e.thisdocument).ItdescribesthemandatoryrequirementsforcertificationwhicharetobefollowedbyCABs.
TheAWSInterimAccreditationRequirementsisthefourthnormativedocumentoftheAWSstandardframework.ItsetsoutthemandatorycriteriathatAWS(oraccreditationbody)willusetoevaluatethecompetencyofAWSserviceproviders(CABs,trainersandconsultants).Scopeisthereforeapplicableattwoprogramlevels-verificationandtraining&capacity-building.
AWSmayproduceadditionalnormativedocumentsinsupportofprogram-levelobjectives.Suchobjectivesmayincludeestablishingrulesandrequirementsformembership,brandingandclaims,training,capacity-building,andrelatedtopics.
Inadditiontonormativedocuments,AWSmayalsoproduceguidancedocumentsfromtimetotime.Thepurposeofguidanceistohelpimplementers,serviceproviders,andstakeholderstobetterunderstandAWSrequirementsandhowtoimplementthemeffectively.Forexample,AWSintendstoproduceaguidancedocumententitledAWSVerificationSystemwhichprovidesanoverviewofhowallthedifferentelementsoftheAWSVerificationPrograminteracttodeliveracredibleassurancetostakeholdersonAWSclaims.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
Fig.2LifeCycleoftheStandard
A INTRODUCTION
TheAllianceforWaterStewardship(AWS)isaglobal,non-profitorganizationdedicatedtoadvancingwaterstewardshiparoundtheworld.Aspartofthismission,AWSdevelopedTheAWSInternationalWaterStewardshipStandard.TheAWSStandardwastheresultofaninternational,four-year,ISEALcompliant,multi-stakeholderprocesswhichrespondedtothegrowingneedforevidenceofrobustwaterriskandimpactmitigationefforts.Itisbuiltaroundthenotionofimplementingwaterstewardshipatthesitelevelinawaythatunderstandsandengageswiththebroadercatchmenttoworkwithotherwaterstakeholderstoaddresssharedwater-relatedchallengesandopportunities.
TCProposaltoDevelopStandard
TCDevelop1stDraft
1stPublicConsultation
TCDevelop2ndDraft
2ndPublicConsultation
TCDevelopFinalDraft.
MemberApproval
AWSStandard
TCReview
ReviewConsultation
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
AWShasdevelopedaverificationsystemforimplementingtheAWSStandardwhichisconsistentwiththeISEALAssuranceCode,providingconsistency,rigour,competence,impartiality,transparency,andaccessibility.AcentralfeatureoftheAWSStandardSystemistheroleofindependentcertificationbythird-partyConformityAssessmentBodies(CABs).
AWSwillimplementtheAWSStandardSystemintwophases:aninitialphasewillbeusedworkoutanykinksandensurecapacityissufficienttomeetsystemneeds.Forthesecondphase(Phase2:2017+),AWSwillupdatetheAWSStandardSystemandaddimprovedfunctionalitypendingAWSmemberinput.ThroughoutPhase1,AWSwillitselfruntheaccreditationprogram.Thistimewillbeusedtogainexperiencewiththesystemandexaminethepotentialoftransferringtheaccreditationfunctiontoanindependentaccreditationbody.Therefore,thepresentdocumentreferstotheAWSaccreditationfunctionasan‘interim’arrangement.
AsanISEALmember,AWSiscommittedtoanequitable,openandtransparentapproachtodevelopingitsstandard.Accordingly,theAWSStandardSystemfollowsISEAL’sStandardSetting,Assurance,andImpactsCodes.TheAWSStandardisalsointendedtobecomplementarytoexistingsystemssuchasISO14001.AndAWS’sapproach–utilizingthecompetenciesofindependentthird-partyentitiestoassesscompliancewiththestandard-drawsheavilyonexistinginternationalnormswhichapplytoconformityassessmentbodies(e.g.ISO17065).
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
B SCOPE
ThisprocedureappliestoTheAllianceforWaterStewardship(AWS).ItdescribeshowAWSwilldevelop,reviewandreviseitsStandardsSystem.ThisappliesnotonlytotheAWSStandard,butalsototheassociatedSelfVerification,CertificationandInterimAccreditationRequirements.
InaccordancewiththeISEALStandard-SettingCode,AWSStandardsSystemDevelopmentProcedureseekstoincludeallinterestsandensurethatnooneinterestcandominateintheprocessofstandardsdevelopment,reviewandrevision.
C NORMATIVEREFERENCES
AWSCertificationRequirements,Version1.0,July2015
AWSSelf-VerificationRequirements,Version1.0,July2015
AWSInterimAccreditationRequirements,Version1.0,July2015
AWSGlossaryofTerms,Version1.0,July2015
AWSTheoryofChange,
TheAWSInternationalWaterStewardshipStandard,Version1.0,April2014
ISEALAllianceCodeofGoodPractice:SettingSocialandEnvironmentalStandardsv5.0,June2010(“ISEALStandard-SettingCode”)
ISEALAllianceCodeofGoodPractice:AssuringCompliancewithSocialandEnvironmentStandardsv1.0(“ISEALAssuranceCode”)
ISO17011:2004Conformityassessment—Generalrequirementsforaccreditationbodiesaccreditingconformityassessmentbodies(§5.9,Complaints)
D ASSOCIATEDGUIDANCE
None
E TERMSANDDEFINITIONS
AlltermsaredefinedintheAWSGlossaryofTerms.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
1 GENERALPROVISIONS1.1 StandardDevelopmentProcedures
Aim:AWSfollowstransparentproceduresthatareimprovedovertime.
1.1.1 ThisProcedureformsthebasisofthestandarddevelopmentprocessunderwhichtheAWSStandardsSystemisdevelopedandrevised.
1.1.2 ThisProcedureshallbemadeavailabletostakeholders,ontheAWSwebsite.1.1.3 ThisProcedureshallbereviewedpriortoareviewoftheAWSStandardorwithinfiveyearsof
approval,whicheverissooner,andshalltakecommentsfromstakeholdersaboutthisProcedureintoaccount.
1.2 ConsistencyBetweenStandards,wateruseprotocolsandtools.
Aim:AWSseekstoavoidduplicationandtobeconsistentwithstandardsthathaveoverlappingscopes,andtoincorporatewateruseprotocolsandtools,whilenotlimitinginnovationandimprovement.
1.2.1 Attheoutsetofastandardsdevelopmentprocess,AWSshall:1.2.1.1 Identifyandinformorganisationsthathavedevelopedinternationalstandardsthatincludewater
stewardshipprovisions,aswellaswateruseprotocolsandtools,ofitsintentiontodeveloporrevisethestandard;
1.2.1.2 Seek input from them on the review, process and terms of reference for the revision of thestandard;and
1.2.1.3 EncouragetheirparticipationintheStandardssubsequentdevelopment.1.2.1.4 Actively explore possibilities for unilateral ormutual recognition for parts or all of the system
requirements.
1.2.2 InordertofacilitatestakeholderengagementintheAWSStandardsdevelopmentAWSshallprepareanannualworkprogrammethatincludes:
1.2.2.1 Contactinformation,1.2.2.2 Anycurrentstandardsdevelopmentwork,1.2.2.3 Anystandardsadoptedintheprecedingperiod;and1.2.2.4 PublishtheannualworkprogrammeforthenextyearontheAWSwebsiteattheendofeachyear.
Guidance:Theworkprogrammedoesnotneedtobeaseparatedocument,e.g.itcanappearasapageonthewebsite.
2 STANDARDSDEVELOPMENT2.1 TermsofReferenceforthestandard
Aim:ForAWStoclearlyarticulatewhatthestandardaimstoachieveandwhythestandardcontinuestobeneeded.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.1.1 AWSshalldeveloporupdatethetermsofreference(TOR)forthestandard.Theseshallbeincludedintheintroductorypagesofthestandard.
2.1.2 TheTORshallincludethefollowingelements:2.1.2.1 Theapplicability,includingsectoralscopeofthestandardandtheintendedgeographicapplication;2.1.2.2 Ajustificationoftheneedforthestandard,including:anassessmentofwaterrelatedsustainability
issues;anexplanationofwhetherthestandardwillmeettheexpressedneed;anddocumentationofotherstandardsoperatingorindevelopmentthatmeetallorpartoftheexpressedneed;
2.1.2.3 Clearsocial,environmentalandeconomicOutcomesthatthestandardseekstoachieveandhowthosearelinkedtotheorganization’sintendedchange
2.1.2.4 AWSTheoryofChange;and2.1.2.5 An assessment of risks in implementing the standard and how to mitigate these, including:
identificationoffactorsthatcouldhaveanegativeimpactontheabilityofthestandardtoachieveitsoutcomes;unintended consequences that couldarise from its implementation; andpossiblecorrectiveactionsthatcouldbetakentoaddressthesepotentialrisks.
2.2 StakeholderIdentification
Aim:ForAWStohaveanunderstandingofwhoitsstakeholdersare.2.2.1 Attheoutsetofastandardsdevelopmentprocess,theAWSshallupdatelistsofsectorsthathave
an interest inthestandardanddefinekeystakeholdergroupswithinthosesectors,basedonthestandard’sscopeanditssocial,environmentalandeconomicoutcomes.
2.2.2 Stakeholdersshallbeidentifiedonbothaninternationalandregionalbasis,inordertodeterminethatallregionsarerepresented,whilstmaintainingtheinternationalfocusofthestandard.
2.2.3 AWS shall: 2.2.3.1 seek to achieve representative participation in its standards development
activities, as evidenced by records of stakeholder input; and 2.2.3.2 to this end, set participation goals for interest sector engagement that can be evaluated and
updatedovertime.
Guidance: Key stakeholder groups includedirectly affected stakeholders (thosewhowill be impactedbyimplementationofthestandard)andmayincludeindirectlyaffectedstakeholderswhohaveaninterestintheapplicationofthestandard.Scopeincludesthesectorandgeographiestowhichthestandardapplies.As AWS has an international standard, it is important to maintain this focus, whilst reflecting regionalperspectives.
2.3 ReviewprocessAim:ForAWStoidentifythescopeoftherevisioninordertoallocatesufficienttimeandresourcestothenextroundofstandarddevelopment.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.3.1 AWSshallconductareviewofthestandardanditsassociatedimplementingdocuments,priortoinitiatingarevisionprocess.
2.3.2 Thereviewshallinclude:2.3.2.1 aminimumthirty-dayconsultationofkeystakeholdergroupstoidentifyareasofthestandard
thatneedreviewandpotentialrevision;and2.3.2.2 ananalysisofallcommentsreceivedfromthisconsultationandduringthetimethatthestandard
hasbeeninoperation.
2.4 PublicSummaryoftheStandardsDevelopmentProcess
Aim:Stakeholdershavetheinformationtheyneedtodeterminewhetherandhowtoparticipate.
2.4.1 A minimum of thirty days prior to the outset of a process for development of the standard, asummaryoftheprocessshallbemadepublicallyavailablethatshallinclude:
2.4.1.1 summary of the TOR for the standard (2.1), including the proposed scope, objectives andjustificationoftheneedforthestandard;
2.4.1.2 theareasidentifiedforrevisionduringthereviewprocess;2.4.1.3 stepsinthestandarddevelopmentprocess,includingtimelinesandclearlyidentifiedopportunities
forandmeansbywhichstakeholderscancontribute;and2.4.1.4 decision-makingprocedures, includinghowdecisionsaremadeandwhomakes them. Thiswill
generallyfollowthedecision-makingprocessdescribedintheAWSTechnicalCommitteeTermsofReference,asthisisthebodythatwillimplementtheStandardsDevelopmentProcess.
2.4.1.5 Duringthisperiodandindeedoncetherevisionprocesshascommenced,stakeholdersmaysuggestwaystoimprovetheprocess.TheseshallbedulyconsideredbytheTechnicalCommittee.
Guidance:ThePublicSummaryisaconciseoverviewforstakeholderstounderstandwhetherandhowtoengage.IftheTOR(2.1)includealloftheinformationoutlinedinthisrequirement,andiftheTORaremadepubliclyavailable,thentheycanserveasthePublicSummary.However,careshouldbetakentoensuretheTORsareaccessibletostakeholders.
2.5 PublicConsultation
Aim:Stakeholdershavesufficienttimeandopportunitytoprovideinputonthestandardandcanseehowtheirinputhasbeentakenintoaccount.
2.5.1 Thepublicconsultationphaseforstandardsdevelopmentorrevisionshallinclude:2.5.1.1 Atleastoneroundof60daysforcommentsubmissionsbystakeholders.2.5.1.2 Asecondroundofconsultationofatleast30daysforstakeholderstogivefeedbackonwhether
their comments were understood and taken into account and to gain input on substantive,unresolvedissues.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.5.1.3 Additional rounds of consultation, where substantive, unresolved issues persist after theconsultationround(s),orwhereinsufficientfeedbackwasreceived.
2.5.1.4 Tworoundsofpublicconsultationshouldbeincludedinplanningforanystandardsdevelopmentprocess.
2.5.2 Participationintheconsultationprocessisopentoallstakeholders;and2.5.3 AWSproactivelyseekstheparticipationofkeystakeholdergroups.
Guidance: Participation of all key stakeholder groups cannot be ensured but AWS shallmake efforts toengageallthosekeystakeholdergroupsidentifiedinthestakeholderidentificationprocess(see2.2).
2.5.4 Submissionsfromconsultationperiods.2.5.4.1 AWSshall:2.5.4.2 Compileallcommentsreceivedduringaconsultationperiodinordertoidentifymaterialissues;2.5.4.3 Documenthoweachmaterialissuehasbeenaddressedinthestandardsdevelopment;2.5.4.4 MakethisdocumentpubliclyavailableontheAWSwebsite;andsendittoallpartiesthatsubmitted
comments.2.5.4.5 MakeoriginalcommentsreceivedduringtheconsultationperiodpubliclyavailableontheAWS
website,withattributiontostakeholdergroups,butwithholdingtheidentityofstakeholder.
2.6 FeasibilityAssessment
Aim: Enterprises can implement the standard and assessors can efficiently and effectively evaluatecompliancewithit.
2.6.1 AspartoftheAWSStandardsdevelopment,AWSshallassess:2.6.1.1 TheabilityofenterprisestoimplementtherequirementsoftheAWSStandard;2.6.1.2 Theauditabilityoftherequirementsinthestandardand;2.6.1.3 The effectiveness of associatedAWSCertification andAccreditation Requirements in assessing
conformancewiththeAWSStandard.
Guidance:ThisassessmentcanincludeconsultationwithCABsandenterprisesapplyingthestandard,fieldtrialsoraudits,orimpactorriskassessmentsasappropriate.
2.7 Decision-Making
Aim:Stakeholdersseethattheirviewsarereflectedindecision-making
2.7.1 AnyStandardsDevelopmentprocessshallbeledbytheAWSTechnicalCommittee.2.7.2 MembershipoftheAWSTechnicalCommitteeis:2.7.2.1 opentoallstakeholders;and
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.7.2.2 shallbeconstitutedbyareasonablebalanceofthosestakeholders,includingthosethataredirectlyaffected.
2.7.3 membershipcriteriaandapplicationproceduresforbecomingamemberaretransparentandnon-discriminatory.TheseareavailableontheAWSwebsite.
2.7.4 TheTermsofReferencefortheTechnicalCommitteeinclude:2.7.4.1 consensus-baseddecisionmaking;2.7.4.2 defined criteria to determine when alternative decision-making procedures should come into
effect,intheeventthatconsensuscannotbeachieved;and2.7.4.3 Whatthedecision-makingthresholdswillbe,whilstensuringthatnoonestakeholdergrouportype
cancontroldecision-making.
NOTE:AWSiscurrentlyundergoingareviewofitsmembershipmodel.Thiswillincludethedecisionmakingstructure,aimingtobeinclusiveofallstakeholdergroups,whilstnotallowinganyonegrouptodominateinthedecisionmakingprocess.
Guidance:Consensusisdefinedasgeneralagreement,characterisedbytheabsenceofsustainedoppositiontosubstantialissuesbyanyimportantstakeholdergroup.
2.8 Standards’Availability
Aim:Thestandardandassociatedrequirementsareaccessibletointerestedstakeholders.
2.8.1 Allapprovedstandardsandrequirementsshall:2.8.1.1 bepublishedpromptly;and2.8.1.2 bemadeavailableforfree,inelectronicformatontheAWSwebsite;2.8.1.3 containasummaryofmajorchangesfromthepreviousversion.
2.8.2 AWSshallmakehardcopiesofpublicsummaries,standardsandotherrelatedmaterialsavailable
uponrequestataslowacostaspossible,andcoveringonlyreasonableadministrativecosts.2.8.3 Standardsandsupportingdocumentsshalleachinclude:2.8.3.1 contactinformationforAWS;2.8.3.2 theformalstatusofthedocument;2.8.3.3 thattheofficiallanguageisEnglish;and2.8.3.4 thatinthecaseofinconsistencybetweenversions,referenceshalldefaulttotheofficiallanguage
version.
2.8.4 AWS shall seek to ensure that translations of the standard are available in additional languageswherethissupportstheuseofthestandard.
2.8.5 WhereAWSauthorizesadditionaltranslations, itshallhaveoversightandresponsibilityforthesetranslations.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.9 ReviewandRevisionofStandards
Aim:TheAWSStandardremainsrelevantovertimeandreflectscurrentstakeholderunderstandingofgoodsustainabilitypractices.
2.9.1 AWSTechnicalCommittee,withthesupportoftheAWSTechnicalProgramme,shall:2.9.1.1 review the AWS Standard including the Guidance Section and associated Certification and
Accreditation Requirements at least once every five years for continued relevance and foreffectivenessinmeetingitsstatedobjectives;and
2.9.1.2 ifnecessary,revisetheAWSStandard,GuidanceandassociatedRequirementswithinthefive-yearcycle,inlinewiththerequirementsinthissection.
2.9.2 Inordertomaintainthestakeholderconsensusachievedandsupportforthestandard,aswellasnottocauseunnecessarydisruptiontothoseimplementingthestandard,suggestionsforrevisionwillneedtobepresentedalongwithacompellingcaseforrevision.
Guidance: A standard’s review considers information gathered from stakeholder input, auditingresultsandorganizationalmonitoringandevaluation,aswellasnewknowledgeorpractices thatmightrequirethestandardtobeupdated.Ifthereviewconcludesthatchangestothestandardarerequired,thenastandardsrevisioniscarriedoutaccordingtotheprocessoutlinedinthisProcedure.TheGuidancethataccompaniestheAWSStandardisalivingdocumentandmaybeupdatedasandwhenneworrevisedguidancebecomesavailable.
2.9.3 AWSTechnicalProgrammeshall:2.9.3.1 makepubliclyavailabletheplannedtimingofthesubsequentreview;and2.9.3.2 includethisinformationinthestandard.
2.9.4 AWSacceptsproposalsatanytimeforrevisionsorclarificationstothestandard.
NOTE:PleaserefertotheAWSComments,ComplaintsandAppealsProcedure:2.2ConcernsRegardingAWS.
2.9.5 Inthecaseofnon-substantivechangestothestandard(e.g.tocorrecttypographicerrorsoroutdated
references),AWSdoesnotneedtoconductaformalrevisionprocessbutshallincludenotificationofanychangesintheAWSnewsletterandmarkeachnewversionwithaversionnumbere.g.V2.1.
2.9.6 In the caseof substantive changes to the standard, these shall be considered in the subsequentreviewandrevisionprocess.
2.9.7 Urgentsubstantiverevisionstothestandard(in-betweenregularrevisions),shall:2.9.7.1 Occurifsubstantiveomissionsareidentified.2.9.7.2 FollowtheprocessforaregularReviewandRevisionprocess.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.9.8 ReviewandRevisionoftheAWSInterimAccreditationandCertificationRequirementsmaytakeplaceatanypointinthelifeoftheStandard.Suchchangesmayoccurwithouttriggeringafullrevisionofthestandard,solongasthechangedoesnotmateriallyimpactontheintentoftheStandard.
Guidance:SubstantiveomissionsincludechangestotheStandardthatwouldrequireachangeinpracticebycertifiedenterprises.SubstantiveomissionsmaybeconsideredcriticalandtriggerarevisionprocessiftheTechnicalCommitteeassesstheretobeamajorrisktotheintegrityofthesystem.InthiscasearecommendationwillbemadetotheAWSBoardfordecision.
2.10 TransitionPeriod
Aim:Certificateholders,CABsandAccreditationBodieshaveadequatetimeandnoticetocomplywithanynewrequirements.
2.10.1 AWSshallnoteinthestandard:2.10.1.1 thedateofarevisionorreaffirmationofthestandard;and2.10.1.2 thetransitionperiodbywhichtherevisedstandardwillcomeintoeffect.2.10.1.3 revisedstandardsshallgenerallybecomeeffectiveasof1stJanuaryeachyear.2.10.1.4 Noticethatarevisedstandard isbeing introducedshallbegiventoCABsandanyAccreditation
BodyassociatedwithAWSatleast3monthspriortothisdate.2.10.1.5 In the first year, extended timelinesmay be given to existing certificate holders to come into
compliancewithchangestothestandardi.e.MajorNonConformitiesmaybegivenoneyearforcompliance,ratherthantheusualthreemonths.
2.10.2 AWS shall promptly inform its stakeholders of the revised standard and transition period, inparticularConformityAssessmentBodies,andwillrequirethemtoinformcertifiedenterprisesandthosewhoareintheprocessofcertification.
2.11 Records
Aim: Stakeholders can refer to previous consultations to understand the basis for the standard’srequirements.
2.11.1 AWSshallkeeponfileforatleastfiveyears,oratleasttworevisioncycles,whicheveristhelongerperiod,thefollowingrecordsrelatedtoeachstandardsdevelopmentorrevisionprocess:
2.11.1.1.1 policiesandproceduresguidingthestandarddevelopmentactivity;2.11.1.1.2 listsofstakeholderscontacted;2.11.1.1.3 stakeholdersinvolvedateachstageoftheprocess;2.11.1.1.4 commentsreceivedandasynopsisofhowthosecommentsweretakenintoaccount;
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
2.11.1.1.5 alldraftandfinalversionsofthestandard;and2.11.1.1.6 maketheseavailabletostakeholdersuponrequest.
2.12 ResolvingComplaints
Aim: Stakeholders have access to a transparentmechanism for raising concerns about the standarddevelopmentprocessandhavingthoseconcernsconsidered.
2.12.1 AWS shall make impartial and documented efforts to resolve procedural complaints related tostandardsdevelopment,throughtheAWSComments,ComplaintsandAppealsProcedure.
Guidance:Proceduralcomplaintsarecomplaintsaboutthestandarddevelopmentprocedure(howthestandardwasset),asopposedtosubstantivecomplaints,whichrelatetothecontentofthestandardandwhichshouldbetakenintoaccountthroughtheregularstandards’reviewandrevisionprocess.RefertotheAWSComments,ComplaintsandAppealsProcedureformoreinformation.
2.12.2 AWSshalldisclosedecisionstakenonproceduralcomplaints.
3 STRUCTUREANDCONTENT3.1 SustainabilityOutcomes
Aim:Thestandardonlycontainsrequirementsthatsupportachievementofthedefinedsustainabilityoutcomes.
3.1.1 AWSshallstatethedefinedsocial,environmentalandeconomicoutcomesclearlyandexplicitlyinthestandard.(seeISEALImpactsCode)
3.1.2 AWSshallensureinitsstandardthat:3.1.2.1 criteriaareincludedtoaddressallofthedefinedsocial,environmentalandeconomicoutcomes;
and3.1.2.2 onlycriteriathatarerelevanttomeetingtheseoutcomesareincluded.
Guidance:Makingtheselinkscanbeaccomplishedbyincludingintroductorylanguageineachsectionofthestandardindicatingtowhichoutcomesthecriteriarelate,orbynotingthiscorrelationbesideeachcriterion.TheAWSStandardV1-0describessuchoutcomesintheIntroduction,page9.
3.1.2.3 AWSshallensurethatanyclaimsmadeaboutthestandardoraboutcompliancewiththestandardareconsistentwiththedefinedsocial,environmentalandeconomicoutcomes.(seeISEALImpactsCode6.5andISEALClaimsGoodPracticeGuide).
Guidance:Claimsmadeaboutthestandardareatypeofmarketingclaimthat isusedtopromoteanaspectof,orrelationshipwithastandardssystem.Anexamplewouldbeanadvertisementpromoting
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
association with a standard or standards system. Claimsmade about compliance with the standardusuallyresultfromaconformityassessmentprocess.
Examplesofassuredclaimsincludeuseoflogos/labels/trustmarksandclaimsofcertificationagainstastandard.NOTE:AdescriptionoftheclaimsthatcanbemadeisgivenintheAWSSelfVerificationRequirementsandAWSCertificationRequirements.
3.2 PerformanceLevel
Aim: Requirements in the standard are set at a performance level that results in significant positivesustainabilityimpacts.
3.2.1 TheAWSStandardshall:3.2.1.1 meetorexceedexistingregulatoryrequirements;and3.2.1.2 clearlyreferencerelevant,existingnationaland/orinternationallawsandregulations. 3.2.1.3 Addressstakeholderconcernswhichexceedexistingregulatoryrequirements,inordertoaddress
theAWSmission.
3.3 ConsistentInterpretation
Aim:Thestandardisconsistentlyinterpretedandappliedacrossitsfullgeographicscope.
3.3.1 TheAWSStandardshallbeconsistentwiththefollowingrequirements:3.3.1.1 onlyincludelanguagethatisclear,specific,objectiveandverifiable;3.3.1.2 beexpressed in termsofprocess,managementandperformancecriteria, rather thandesignor
descriptivecharacteristics;3.3.1.3 notfavouraparticulartechnologyorpatenteditem;3.3.1.4 includedefinitionofthescopetowhichthestandardapplies;3.3.1.5 attributeorcitealloriginalintellectualsourcesofcontent;and3.3.1.6 not present administrative requirements related to assurance, claims or labels or other non-
technicalissuesintegratedwithtechnicaland/orperformancerequirements. Guidance: ‘Assurance’ requirements can include scoring mechanisms for evaluating compliance,definitionofmandatoryandimprovementrequirements,policiesonderogationsfromthestandard,etc.‘Othernon-technicalissues’areissuessuchasrequirementsforparticipationinthescheme.
3.3.2 AWSshallpreparesufficientguidanceonthestandardtosupportconsistent interpretationof itsrequirements.
Guidance: In cases where there is a detailed normative standard, additional guidance may not benecessary.
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ALLIANCE FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP (SCIO)
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), High School Yards, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EHI 1LZ, Scotland TEL: +44 (0)131 651 4690 | EMAIL: [email protected]
AWS is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC045894)
3.3.3 TheAWSStandardshallbeusedwithoutnationalorregionaladaptations. 3.3.4 NationalorregionalguidancefortheAWSStandardshallbeasconsistentaspossiblewithstandard’s
guidanceandatleastasstringent.3.3.5 Disputesthatarisefrominconsistenciesbetweenthestandard’sguidanceandlocalguidanceshall
alwaysdefertotheAWSStandard,includinganyassociatedinterpretation.
3.4 LocalApplicability
Aim:Thestandardisrelevantinthelocalcontextswhereitisapplied,basedinpartoninputfromlocalstakeholders.
3.4.1 Theprocess to take intoaccount localeconomic, social,environmentalandregulatoryconditionsshall reflect the process at an international level, including stakeholder identification andengagementandinputtotheinternationalstandardsdevelopment,inorderthattheinternationalstandardtakesaccountoflocalconditions.
3.4.2 The national or regional level may augment the Guidance associated with the Standard at theinternationallevelinordertofacilitatelocalimplementation.