ISO/TC 331 - Biodiversity

This document provides requirements and guidelines for the characterization of native species of plants, algae and fungi and the products derived from them, which have been collected, harvested or processed. This document aims to enable the establishment of minimum quality and safety requirements considering sustainable management of biodiversity. This document also covers the protection of biodiversity along all steps of the value chain of the products derived from native species through the application of a biodiversity management plan. This document does not apply to native animal species, timber and wood products.

This document specifies a process to design, implement, maintain and monitor biodiversity net gain (BNG) outcomes throughout the life cycle of spatially explicit development projects, until the expected outcome on biodiversity has been realized as proportionate to the project. This document provides a framework to demonstrate that a project: ¾ has followed a process that is based on good practice and indicators of biodiversity change, ¾ is aligned with the vision, goals and targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Biodiversity Framework.[23] This document covers terrestrial and freshwater habitats, and intertidal habitats down to the mean low water mark, as the process and methods to deliver net gain for marine habitats are different from the approach set out here. It does not cover the detailed requirements associated with the delivery of biodiversity enhancements or management. This document is applicable for projects that affect biodiversity and those with limited or no impact on biodiversity, as well as projects aiming to achieve BNG either onsite or offsite, or both. BNG can be applicable to any sector of industry, including residential, mixed-use, energy, water, extractive industry, transport, communications agriculture, forestry and infrastructure.

This document specifies requirements and guidelines for organizations to consider biodiversity in their strategies and operations, thereby adopting a biodiversity approach. It is applicable to any type of organization, irrespective of its size or nature (e.g. large groups, public institutions, local authorities, mid-cap companies, associations, micro-structures, single-member companies), sector, level of development and the extent to which it includes biodiversity protection in its activities.

This document defines the terms in the field of biodiversity. These include terms related to: — the drivers of biodiversity loss; — quantification; — impact on species or ecosystems; — the means of action to protect biodiversity to create a regenerative and resilient ecosystem. The components of biodiversity covered within this document are genetic, species, ecosystem and functional diversity. This document is applicable to entities either working directly in the field of biodiversity or whose work involves considerations related to biodiversity.