SASB Tobacco
SASB
SASB Tobacco sets standards for sustainability reporting.
The SASB Tobacco costs $0 USD. Renewal costs $0 USD.
Key Strengths
- Industry-specific metrics tailored to tobacco sector risks and impacts
- Developed for investor-grade sustainability disclosure and decision-making
- Backed by IFRS Foundation, lending global credibility and adoption
- Covers critical topics including product safety, marketing practices, and environmental impact
- Free to download and implement, lowering adoption barriers
- Aligns with broader ESG reporting ecosystems including TCFD and ISSB standards
Ideal For
This standard is best suited for publicly traded tobacco companies, cigarette and e-cigarette manufacturers, and tobacco product distributors seeking to align their sustainability disclosures with investor-grade reporting frameworks. It is particularly valuable for ESG reporting teams, investor relations professionals, and sustainability officers at companies operating in the tobacco sector who need a structured, industry-specific disclosure framework.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Scope
Overview
The SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) makes standards for companies to report their sustainability efforts, aimed at investors. The SASB Tobacco standards focus on the tobacco industry, guiding how businesses should report on social, environmental, and governance factors. These standards help organizations like cigarette and e-cigarette companies show their impact clearly and responsibly.
The program began due to rising concerns about the health and environmental impacts of tobacco products. Historical data show significant health risks and environmental damage linked to tobacco. Large tobacco firms like Philip Morris International often use these standards for transparency.
Important statistics come from health organizations like the WHO, which report millions of tobacco-related deaths annually. Certification through SASB offers businesses a structured way to disclose risks and efforts in sustainability. Partners include regulatory bodies and investor groups, ensuring the standards meet broad stakeholder needs.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Organizations self-report against the SASB Tobacco standard's defined metrics and disclosure topics, which include quantitative data (e.g., number of tobacco products sold, environmental compliance incidents) and qualitative narrative disclosures. No third-party audit or submission to SASB is required; companies incorporate disclosures into annual reports, sustainability reports, or SEC filings. SASB provides a reporting template and the SASB Navigator tool to guide disclosure preparation.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
There is no formal exam or audit process for SASB standards adoption. Companies self-select the relevant industry standard, prepare disclosures against the defined metrics and accounting topics, and publish them in their own reports or filings. SASB provides the Navigator tool and reporting templates to guide the process. No submission to SASB is required, and no third-party verification is mandated by the standard itself, though companies may choose to engage external assurance providers independently.
Renewal & Compliance
SASB standards are voluntary reporting frameworks, not time-limited certifications. There is no formal renewal cycle; companies are expected to update their disclosures annually in line with reporting cycles. SASB periodically revises its standards, and companies should monitor for updates to ensure their disclosures reflect the current version of the standard.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Companies outside the tobacco industry will find little direct applicability, as the metrics are highly sector-specific. Organizations seeking a broad sustainability certification with third-party audit verification or a public-facing badge should consider frameworks like ISO 14001 or B Corp instead.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2018