In the current market environment, consumers are showing an increasing interest in the quality and safety of products and services, and the protection of the environment and society. Companies, responding to these expectations, choose to obtain voluntary certifications that go beyond legislative obligations and become a real competitive advantage. In fact, voluntary certifications represent an opportunity for companies to grow and innovate, as they help to improve the efficiency of internal processes, increasing recognition by stakeholders and facilitating access to public tenders.

The Sustainability Measurement and Management Laboratory (SuMM Lab) led by Mariolina Longo (Department of Management, University of Bologna; Bologna Business School | Centre for Sustainability and Climate Change), Matteo Mura (Department of Management, University of Bologna; Bologna Business School | Centre for Sustainability and Climate Change), Sara Zanni (Department of Management, University of Bologna; Bologna Business School | Centre for Sustainability and Climate Change), Chiara Vagnini (Department of Management, University of Bologna), identified ten significant metrics representing the adoption of sustainability-related certification practices in the Italian industrial context, divided into system and product certifications. Of these, the ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems appears to be the most popular, followed by OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety management systems. Interestingly, the geographical distribution of certifications shows a significant variety among Italian regions.  

The sectors most engaged in implementing certifications are: paper and cardboard, building and construction, glass and glass products, maintenance of metal products, rubber, agri-food, food industry, engine and generator manufacturing, furniture, and TLC equipment. In particular, the paper and paperboard sector stands out for the implementation of ISO 14001 and the use of the Ecolabel on its products.

Despite encouraging results, sustainability practices and related certifications are still not widespread among Italian companies. To expand the adoption of such certifications, the report suggests developing skills among staff on certification management, creating new professions within the organization, such as product certification specialists, and communicating certifications throughout the organizational value chain. In conclusion, voluntary certifications represent a strategic opportunity for companies that wish to stand out in the marketplace while improving their productivity and performance. The popularity of these practices not only improves corporate image, but also contributes to a positive impact on the environment and society.