Journal Articles

Transparency in Nonstate Certification: Consequences for Accountability and Legitimacy

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Nonstate certification programs have formed in the past 20 years to address social and environmental problems associated with production practices in several economic sectors. These programs embody the idea that information disclosure can be a tool for NGOs, investors, governments, and consumers to support high performers and hence, advocates hope, place upward pressure on sector-wide practices. Many unanswered questions remain, however, about information disclosure's practices and outcomes. We compare the use of procedural and outcome transparency in the rule-making and auditing processes of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We highlight key differences in how transparency relates to accountability and legitimacy of the programs. The MSC uses transparency and stakeholder consultation instrumentally, whereas the FSC treats them as ends unto themselves. This underscores the importance of considering transparency alongside other governance aspects, such as who the eligible stakeholders are and who gets decision-making power.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Global Environmental Politics

Call Number

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Publisher

Cambridge : MIT Press., 2010

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

15263800

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 10, No. 3, August 2010. Pages 97-119

Subject(s)

Transparency
Accountability
environmental

Specific Detail Info

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