Public Consultation Opens for the ResponsibleGlass Standard
The first public consultation on the draft ResponsibleGlass International Standard for Glassmaking is now open, marking a major milestone in the development of a global sustainability standard for the glass industry.
Thank you to all our members, supporters and stakeholders who have contributed their expertise, insights and time throughout the development process so far. Your collaboration has helped shape this first draft, and the consultation is the next important step in ensuring the standard is practical, robust and globally relevant.
Running from 20 July to 18 September 2026, the consultation invites businesses, stakeholders and rightsholders from across the glass value chain to review the draft and help shape the final standard. Comments received during the consultation will inform the second draft of the standard, due for publication in 2027.
You can access the draft document here and submit your comments by emailing standards@responsibleglass.org or filling out the form before 18 September 2026. Together, we can build a globally applicable standard that creates a unified standard to validate and showcase industry sustainability.
Stakeholder Council Meets to Review Progress and Preview the ResponsibleGlass Standard
Our latest Stakeholder Council meeting brought founding members and supporters together to reflect on the significant progress made and the next phase of the initiative.
Guests heard from Francis Sullivan, Ali Lucas and Matthew Wenban-Smith with updates on the success of the June webinar, which attracted more than 100 registrations and welcomed participants from across the glass value chain, including many organisations engaging with ResponsibleGlass for the first time. The Stakeholder Council also heard that the initiative remains on track against its development roadmap, with growing engagement across the sector and increasing interest from prospective members.
A key highlight of the meeting was an exclusive preview of the first draft of the ResponsibleGlass Standard. Founding members and supporters explored its core themes – including decarbonisation, circularity and responsible sourcing – and took part in a constructive discussion on how the Standard should evolve through the upcoming public consultation.
Looking ahead, plans are also underway for the first annual ResponsibleGlass Members and Supporters Forum in December, marking one year since the initiative’s launch and providing an opportunity to celebrate progress while looking ahead to 2027.
Research Underway to Strengthen Responsible Silica Sand Sourcing
Understanding where silica sand comes from – and the risks and opportunities within its supply chain – is a vital part of building a more responsible glass industry.
We’re pleased to announce that the Coalition for Responsible Sand and Silicates (CRSS) has been appointed to lead the first phase of research for the Responsible Sourcing of Silica Sand for Glassmaking project.
The research will map global silica sand supply chains, analyse material specifications and supply chain structures, identify key environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and transparency gaps, and gather insights from producers, processors, glass manufacturers, civil society and other stakeholders.
The findings will provide the evidence base for developing responsible sourcing requirements within the future ResponsibleGlass Standard, helping to strengthen transparency, due diligence and responsible sourcing across the global glass value chain.
We look forward to sharing the research findings at a Member and Supporter Briefing on 16th September at 15:00. Make sure the date is in your diary to join us.
Why We Joined: Long-term Thinking Demands Industry-wide Collaboration
Belron is a one of the world’s leaders in vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration, operating in 42 countries through businesses like Autoglass in the UK, Carglass across Europe and Safelite in the USA. Last year, Belron carried out over 17 million repair, replacement and recalibration jobs.
As Belron’s Sustainable Procurement Manager, Felicity Bone works within their global procurement team, focusing on responsible sourcing, supplier due diligence and embedding ESG into how Belron works with suppliers across their supply chain.
Read more about why Belron joined ResponsibleGlass.
In the News: Major Industry Publications Spread the Word on Public Consultation on Draft Standard
The opening of the Consultation made headlines across major industry publications in July. Written about extensively in major industry publications, the coverage is helping to spread the word and drive traffic to Draft Standard.
A new article by Alan Knight, Chief Sustainability Officer at WE Soda, a founding member of ResponsibleGlass and a member of the ResponsibleGlass Board, has also been featured in edie. The piece shines a spotlight on the growing need for a shared approach to sustainability in the glass sector and the role ResponsibleGlass is playing in bringing the industry together to create it.
Alan highlights the importance of collaboration across the entire value chain to create a credible, independent standard that helps drive transparency, responsible sourcing, circularity and lower-carbon glass production. Read more here.
- Yahoo News: Glassmaking standard draft enters consultation
- Food Manufacturer: World’s first global sustainability standard for glass unveiled
- Mining.com: First global sustainability glass standard opens for consultation
- Packaging News: World’s first global sustainability standard for glass launched for consultation
- Packaging Scotland: First global sustainability standard for glass moves a step closer
- Energy Live News: Global sustainability standard for glass opens for consultation – Energy Live News
- Glass International: ResponsibleGlass leads call for first global sustainability standard
- Packaging Europe: Draft standard for more sustainable glassmaking now open for consultation | Article | Packaging Europe
- Business Green: ‘World first’: New global sustainability standard for glass launched | BusinessGreen News
- Institute of Minerals and Mining: Global glass sustainability standard opens for consultation
- Sustainable Packaging Views: World’s first global sustainability standard for glass launched for consultation
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