International Sustainability Certification Institute

What International Sustainability Certification Institute does

International Sustainability Certification Institute (IGSC, 주식회사 국제지속가능인증원) is a Seoul-based, private certification and verification body founded in 2020 (evolving from a 2018 predecessor entity) that operates under Korea's National Accreditation Center (NAC) accreditations for ISO/IEC 17021-1, 17029, 17065, and 14065. The company provides Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verification services across multiple global EPD programs — EPD Global, International EPD, EPD China, CISA EPD, CNIA EPD, Global GreenTag, and EPD Networks — as well as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) verification, including Asia's first Catena-X PCF program certification and individual data verification capability.

IGSC's service portfolio spans three segments: environmental declarations (EPD/LCA/PCF verification), product certifications (vegan, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, clean beauty, zero waste, upcycle, microplastic-free, pet, defense/CPS), and ISO management system certifications (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 22000, 13485, 27001, 50001, plus SA 8000/ISO 26000), supplemented by auditor training programs. The customer base includes Korean enterprise exporters such as LG Electronics, Dongkuk Steel, Hyundai Rotem, LS Cable & System, Coca-Cola Korea, LS Electric, and Nexen Tire, with 268 certified products and 116 EPD verifications disclosed across Asia, Europe, and North America.

IGSC operates a sales-led B2B/B2G model with direct delivery through certified auditors and verifiers, complemented by partnerships with EPD Norway/EPD Global (as the official Asia Office), International EPD System, BeVeg International, FAMIC/Japan MAFF, KEITI, and Glassdome. The company generates revenue primarily through quote-based professional services fees for one-time certifications plus ongoing surveillance audits, with additional revenue from auditor training courses. International expansion is supported by branch offices in Buena Park, California (Jan 2024), Shanghai, China (Aug 2025), and a registered European entity IGSC OÜ in Tallinn, Estonia.

Name

International Sustainability Certification Institute

Legal name

주식회사 국제지속가능인증원

Website

https://igsc.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IGSC is a Seoul-based multi-standard sustainability certification and verification body providing EPD verification, product certifications (vegan, organic, zero waste, microplastic-free), and ISO management system certifications under NAC accreditation, serving Korean exporters and Asian manufacturers seeking EU and global sustainability compliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL), Sustainability & Environmental Certifications (Carbon, Water, Regenerative) (AFALAMAC), Integrated Management System Certification (Food Safety + Quality/Environment/OHS) (AFALACAI), Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs) (AFALAMAI), Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification
• EPD verification services
• ISO management systems
• Product carbon footprint
• Auditor training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Certification Services: Certification services for various product categories including food, cosmetics, textiles, furniture, construction materials, and electrical/electronic products. Revenue generated through one-time certification fees and ongoing surveillance audits.
2. EPD Verification Services: Third-party verification services for Environmental Product Declarations under multiple international EPD programs. Revenue from verification fees based on product complexity and geographic scope.
3. Auditor Training Programs: Training programs for EPD verifiers, ISO auditors, and sustainability certification auditors. Revenue from course fees (approximately 5 million KRW per participant for Norway EPD training excluding travel).
4. Sustainability Certifications: Specialized certifications including vegan, organic, zero waste, upcycle, gluten-free, non-GMO, and other sustainability standards for products and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

International Sustainability Certification Institute (IGSC / 국제지속가능인증원) is a Seoul-based sustainability certification and verification body providing third-party services including Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verification, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) verification, Product Carbon Footprint (PCF/CFP) verification, and product certifications such as vegan, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, zero waste, and upcycle. The institute also delivers ISO management system certifications and auditor training programs, operating under NAC accreditation for ISO/IEC 17021-1, 17065, 17029, and 14065.

Product overview

IGSC (Institute of Global Sustainability Certification) is a multi-standard certification and verification services provider operating as a portfolio of distinct service lines rather than a unified software platform. Its offerings span three broad areas: (1) Environmental Declarations — EPD verification services supporting multiple global EPD programs (EPD Global, International EPD, Global GreenTag, EPD China, EPD Networks, CISA EPD), LCA/carbon footprint verification, and PCF/Catena-X certification; (2) Product Certifications — food (Vegan, Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-free, etc.), cosmetics (Vegan, Clean Beauty, Allergy Certified), sustainability (Zero Waste, Upcycle, Plastic Free, Microplastic-Free), pet, defense/CPS, and ISO management system certifications; and (3) Auditor Education — professional training programs including ISO Lead Auditor courses and EPD Norway verifier training. The company operates under NAC (Korea's National Accreditation Center) accreditation for ISO/IEC 17021-1, 17029, and 17065.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EPD Verification Service Third-party verification of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for manufacturers across multiple international EPD programs, conducted under ISO/IEC 17029 accreditation with ISO 14065 for greenhouse gas verification. Targets Korean and Asian manufacturers seeking internationally recognized environmental product credentials for export markets.
• LCA Verification Service

Quantifiable outcome

• First European EPD verification result successfully linked to Korean environmental product declaration system through KEITI-EPD Norway mutual recognition agreement
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Resource Circulation Citizens Center (자원순환시민센터)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026MOU for cooperation in resource circulation and sustainable development practices. Focus on circular economy activation and zero waste culture dissemination in Busan region.
• Busan Sustainable Development Council (부산지속가능발전협의회)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026MOU for cooperation in sustainable development and environmental conservation in Busan. Includes public-private cooperation projects, joint publicity, and policy dissemination.
• FAMIC (Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center) - Japan MAFFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026IGSC successfully completed FAMIC's periodic evaluation. IGSC was the first domestic certification body to receive official recognition from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) for organic and vegan certifications.
• Catena-XcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026IGSC secured official Catena-X Verifier and Certifier personnel, becoming the first in Asia to establish capability for both PCF Program Certification (Level 2) and individual PCF data verification (Level 3). Supports automotive, manufacturing, and chemical supply chain PCF data reliability.
• China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2025IGSC was officially approved as a Certification Body for CNIA's EPD platform. CNIA is a national-level organization overseeing China's non-ferrous metals industry including aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and rare earth. This partnership enables domestic companies to receive official CNIA EPD verification directly in Korea.
• GlassdomecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2025Partnership to establish European EPD verification linkage system. Glassdome provides carbon data management SaaS platform while IGSC provides verification standards and certification services. Target industries include power equipment, automotive composite materials, electrical/electronic components, and construction materials.
• DEISOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Strategic MOU signing between DEISO and IGSC for cooperation in sustainability certification services.
• China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) EPDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025IGSC became the first overseas EPD certification body approved by CISA EPD program. CISA is a major industry association in China's steel sector. This enables IGSC to provide certification services for China's steel industry EPD requirements.
• SGS ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2024EPD verification partnership with SGS China for mutual cooperation in environmental product declaration services.
• flustixminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partnership with flustix-RETHINK PLASTICS to introduce microplastic-free and plastic reduction certification services in the Asian market.
• Korea Vegan Association, China Vegan Association, Japan Vegan AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024MRA agreements with vegan associations from Korea, China, and Japan. Formation of Asian Vegan Alliance at the 2024 China Vegan Summit.
• Zero Waste JapanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Cooperation with Zero Waste Japan for zero waste certification and international network building. First international zero waste forum organized together.
• International EPD SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024IGSC became the first Accredited EPD Certification Body in Asia approved by the International EPD System. This partnership enables IGSC to provide EPD verification services under International EPD standards for the Asian market.
• EPD ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IGSC became the first overseas certification body approved by EPD China, enabling Chinese market access for Korean companies and Chinese EPD verification services.
• EPD Norway (EPD Global)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021IGSC serves as the official Asia Office for EPD Norway (now EPD Global). Partnership includes verification examiner training programs, mutual recognition with KEITI, and joint training courses. IGSC has conducted multiple verification examiner training programs in partnership with EPD Norway.
• Korea Environmental Industry Technology Institute (KEITI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKEITI and EPD Norway signed a mutual recognition agreement in November 2024, enabling Korean EPD certifications to be recognized in Norway and vice versa. IGSC supports this partnership as an approved verification body.
• BeVeg InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGSC is the Korean representative for BeVeg International vegan certification standard. BeVeg is the world's first ISO 17065 accredited certification body for vegan certification. IGSC auditors are trained and qualified to issue BeVeg vegan certification in Korea.
• Keto ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKetogenic certification partnership with KETO PROJECT for certification services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing and certification body with sustainability, EPD, and ISO management system services. Broad incumbent competing for Korean export manufacturers and Catena-X adjacent work.
• DNV: Norwegian certification body with strong sustainability and supply chain decarbonization services. DNV's Catena-X activities and global footprint make it a direct competitor in PCF verification.
• Intertek: UK-based TIC firm with sustainability, EPD, and product certification services across Asia. Competes for similar manufacturing and consumer-product certification engagements.
• TÜV SÜD: German certification body offering ISO certifications, product testing, and sustainability verification including EPD. Asia-Pacific operations compete for IGSC's export-manufacturer client base.
• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification giant operating across 100+ countries with established EPD verification, LCA, and sustainability certification services. Direct competitor for IGSC's enterprise clients and broader certification portfolio.
• Bureau Veritas: French multinational TIC company with strong sustainability and EPD verification services across Asia and Europe. Competes directly for ISO management system and product certification engagements.

Regional players

• Korea Testing Certification (KTC): Korean government-affiliated testing and certification body offering ISO management system certifications and product testing. Domestic competitor serving many of the same Korean manufacturers.
• Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL): Korean public testing laboratory offering certification, testing, and conformity assessment services. Strong domestic position in product certifications overlapping with IGSC's portfolio.

Direct peers

• Carbon Trust: UK-based sustainability certification organization offering carbon footprint, PCF, and product certification services. Direct competitor in product carbon footprint verification and sustainability labeling.

Others

• EPD International (International EPD System): Swedish program operator of the International EPD System. As IGSC's accreditation partner, EPD International is both an enabler and indirect competitor for EPD program operators in Asia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100063485769622
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igsc-global

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Sustainability Certification Institute