AWS Standard Review and Revision 3.0

AWS Standard Review and Revision

AWS is undertaking a review and revision of the International Water Stewardship Standard V2.0 (commonly known as the AWS Standard) to increase the practicality, utility and value of Version 3.0:

• Practicality: Streamlining the AWS Standard for companies to implement cost-effectively at scale.
• Utility: Supporting alignment with wider sustainability agendas and priorities.
• Value: Strengthening integration with corporate-level reporting.

This process is being carried out according to the AWS Standards Development and Revision Procedure V2.0 and ISEAL’s Code of Good Practice. It is overseen by the AWS Technical Committee and facilitated by the AWS Secretariat.

Global Public Consultation 

Between 14 October and 20 December 2024, AWS held the first global public consultation on the draft text of the AWS Standard V3.0. The consultation included a survey, and a variety of online and offline activities targeted at our diverse stakeholder groups. 

Feedback from the public consultation will be used to assess the extent to which we have met the aims of the revision process and will inform further revisions and improvements to the AWS Standard V3.0. A summary of the comments received will be made publicly available in the first quarter of 2025, ahead of a second round of public consultation on the revised second draft of the AWS Standard V3.0

Webinar

To support the first public consultation and provide more information about how to participate, AWS hosted a webinar on Tuesday, 22 October 2024. The link to the recording can be found below, along with the passcode:

• • Webinar| Recording
  • Passcode: tN6Q#@^u

Background and rationale

In 2023, AWS conducted a review of the AWS Standard V2.0, including a survey of stakeholders, resulting in a high-level summary of the findings and key insights. Following this, AWS is undertaking a major revision of the International Water Stewardship Standard or AWS Standard in 2024 and 2025. AWS strongly encourages and values the continued engagement of AWS Members and stakeholders in this process to help us strengthen the AWS Standard and System. A summary of this process including a timeline indicating when consultation periods will occur can be downloaded below.

> Download: Summary: AWS Standard Major Revision, V3.0 (last updated September 2024)

For any enquiries regarding the AWS Standard Review and Revision process, please contact Tyler Farrow, Standards Manager, using the form below.