A mark of trust: ESG software can unlock the benefits of sustainability reporting
Published date: 29 April 2025
GRI unveils new software verification process and updated licensing mark
The GRI Licensed Software & Tools (LST) Program has launched a streamlined verification process and a refreshed licensing mark. These enhancements boost the credibility and visibility of software and tools that are officially licensed by GRI, setting a new standard for how digital solutions support sustainability reporting.
The LST Program is GRI’s pathway for software providers to integrate the GRI Standards – the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards – into their digital products. Through a structured licensing and verification process, the program ensures that software solutions from third parties use GRI content accurately and responsibly, while supporting the global adoption and integrity of the GRI Standards.
At the heart of the new update is a revised verification methodology, which has been refined into a more standardized and concise process, based on reviewing over 120 ESG tools worldwide. GRI Licensing equips software providers with consistent criteria tailored to diverse use cases and user profiles, ensuring that their tools implement the GRI Standards in line with evolving market needs.
In addition, a new licensing mark has been introduced, which signals that a product is aligned with GRI’s reporting principles and has been rigorously assessed for integrity and usability.
With the launch of our new verification process and licensing mark, we’re not only raising the bar for software alignment with the GRI Standards – we’re also making it easier for developers to get their ESG tools right, and for users to trust them. This evolution reflects our commitment to integrity, innovation and global accessibility in sustainability reporting software solutions.
Alex Chiodo, GRI Senior Manager, Licensing Software & Tools ProgramThe new licensing mark and verification process streamline implementation for developers, by providing clear verification criteria that reduce errors and prevent misinterpretations of the GRI Standards. Users, in turn, can be sure that the ESG tools they select are credible and have been rigorously vetted by GRI, supporting improved data quality and comparability.
These improvements come at a key moment of growth for the LST Program. In 2024, the number of licensed partners reached 100 – more than doubling from 38 in 2022, and reflecting growing interest in verified ESG tools across markets and regions. Want to know about the GRI Licensed Software & Tools available? Browse the global directory to find out more.