Our origins: From ISO 14001 to global assurance provider

“ERM CVS was founded in 1996 as a certification and conformity assessment body in direct response to the introduction of the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. That moment marked a step-change in how organizations approached environmental performance, and we were created to provide the independent, credible certification needed to support that transition. Over the years, as sustainability expectations expanded, we evolved with them, adding verification, assurance, and training to help organizations demonstrate progress with confidence. Now, as we look toward the imminent release of ISO 14001:2026, it’s a powerful reminder of why we were established in the first place: to enable trusted, independent assessments that help organizations navigate change and strengthen confidence in their sustainability performance.”

Rooted in the rising environmental accountability of the 1990s, ERM CVS began in 1996 ahead of the launch of ISO 14001. Born from this moment of global change, we set out with a clear purpose: to improve business performance through independent conformity assessment, certification, and verification. What started with environmental management system certification has evolved into a broad, sustainability‑focused portfolio spanning assurance, verification, certification, and training. Three decades later, our mission remains the same, advancing trust, integrity, and meaningful impact for organizations worldwide.

Thirty years later, that purpose matters more than ever

Over three decades, our story has unfolded in three clear phases.

We began by establishing our foundation (1996–2002), driven by the emergence of ISO 14001 and the rising global demand for environmental accountability and performance. We then expanded globally and diversified our portfolio (2003–2020), evolving from a niche environmental certification body into a multi‑standard, multi‑region certification, verification and assurance provider. Our current phase (2021–2026) is defined by innovation and investment in the future, accelerating growth, deepening expertise, expanding globally, and delivering integrated solutions across ISO certification, ESG assurance, training, and digital trust.

Thirty years later, our original purpose remains unchanged and more relevant than ever: strengthening trust, integrity, and sustainable business performance worldwide.

What we do and why it matters

ERM CVS provides a full suite of independent services that help clients move beyond compliance toward stronger performance, credible claims, and measurable improvement:

What unites these services is the belief that credible, independently validated performance unlocks better decisions, builds confidence, accelerates sustainable outcomes, and strengthens the systems organizations rely on, across management, risk, and sustainability. Find out more on our services here. 

Independence, integrity and accreditation

Independence is not just how we operate; it’s who we are.  

ERM established ERM CVS as an independent, accredited entity to provide the impartial assurance, certification, verification, and conformity assessment services that organizations and markets depend on.

As ERM Group’s independent entity for conformity assessment, assurance, certification, and training services, ERM CVS operates with rigorous impartiality processes and globally recognized accreditations that underpin trust in every engagement. Our work is conducted as a UKAS accredited certification body and verification body, an ANAB accredited validation and verification body, an Exemplar Global certificated training provider in ISO management auditing and by an assurance team in accordance with ISAE 3000 and aligned to ISSA 5000. This foundation ensures consistent quality, confidentiality, and professional care, every time.

Our accreditations mean our clients’ achievements carry weight

ERM CVS delivers credible recognition through certification and verification badges that signal externally validated performance. These marks are underpinned by our international accreditations, including:

  • ISO/IEC 170211:2015 – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems
  • ISO/IEC 17029:2019 – General principles and requirements for validation and verification bodies
  • ISO 14065:2020 – Requirements for bodies validating and verifying environmental information (utilizing ISO 140643:2019 and ISO 14066:2023)

Together, these accreditations ensure that when clients display an ERM CVS certification badge, it We earn the trust of very complex global organizations, regulators and accreditation bodies.

Powered by people

Our 30-year story is powered by the people of ERM CVS.

Their rigor, curiosity, integrity, and technical depth have built long-lasting relationships with clients across industries worldwide. The culture we’ve built together is rooted in learning, collaboration, and the belief that expertise is our superpower. Our expertise has earned the trust of complex global organizations, regulators and accreditation bodies. Our customer satisfaction is a benchmark in our industry, achieving an exceptional score of 9.5 and an average Net Promoter Score of 85.

We celebrate our teams, past and present, whose contributions continue to shape the future of trusted sustainability information and conformity assessment. If you want to explore opportunities to join our experts visit our careers page here.

Looking ahead

The rise in digital trust, business resilience pressures, shifting regulatory landscapes, and growing consumer and investor expectations are all driving greater scrutiny and a heightened need for credibility. As expectations rise for ESG and climate reporting, supply chain transparency, circularity, and product‑level claims, ERM CVS will continue to meet the moment with clarity, rigor, and the geographical reach needed to support complex global client needs.

The next chapter will bring:

As we celebrate 30 years, we are proud to share our legacy and look ahead with momentum. We have more than doubled in size in the past four years and we will continue accelerating with agility and a strong client focus continuing to provide: 

  • Deeper insight into complex sustainability and conformity issues
  • Stronger verification of emerging reporting requirements
  • Continued expansion of accredited verification and certification services
  • Greater focus on training the next generation of sustainability and assurance professionals

We are ready for the years to come, analyzing mega trends, transforming how we deliver our services, so we remain a trusted relevant parter in a rapidly changing environment. As disciplines converge, especially across digital trust and sustainability, we are evolving our capabilities to meet clients’ needs with confidence and impact.

Grounded in three decades of integrity and expertise, we now look ahead to create the next generation of Sustainability assured.

Join us on our journey, contact us to find our more here