World Cleanup Institute

Certification scheme · Framework v1.0

WCI Responsibility Certification System

Public scheme rules

Framework v1.0 (2026). These rules describe how organisations are assessed, scored, and certified. The scheme is open, non-discriminatory, and based on independent human review with AI assistance — AI does not issue seals or final certification decisions.

Certification threshold

The primary public metric is the WCI Responsibility Score (0–100%), calculated as a weighted mean of seven pillar percentages (each pillar scored 1–5 and converted to 0–100%), using a published profile for the organisation type.

  • ≥ 65% — Certified. A public Responsibility Seal is issued and listed on the public registry.
  • < 65% — Not certified. Organisations receive confidential feedback only; no public seal or registry listing.

Published weighting profiles

Profiles are applied consistently by organisation type and are not negotiated case-by-case. No pillar is weighted to zero.

LDIW / WCD profile

  • Organisational Management18%
  • Human Rights14%
  • Ethical Work Practices11%
  • Environment22%
  • Fair Business Practices8%
  • Consumer Concerns5%
  • Social Commitment22%

BBE profile

  • Organisational Management22%
  • Human Rights16%
  • Ethical Work Practices13%
  • Environment9%
  • Fair Business Practices12%
  • Consumer Concerns6%
  • Social Commitment22%

Seven assessment pillars

  • Organisational Management

    Strong governance, planning, monitoring, and transparency.

  • Human Rights

    Protect sanitation workers and ensure equal waste services for all citizens.

  • Ethical Work Practices

    Fair contracts, anti-corruption, equal opportunity employment.

  • Environment

    Pollution prevention, clean cities, ecosystem protection.

  • Fair Business Practices

    Transparent procurement, fair bidding, legal compliance.

  • Consumer Concerns

    Citizen satisfaction, public safety, service quality.

  • Social Commitment

    Community engagement, awareness programs, and volunteer initiatives.

Certification pathway

  1. Application — Open intake via /apply.
  2. Self-assessment — Structured questionnaire and evidence upload.
  3. Independent verification — WCI analysts review AI-assisted scoring and publish results.
  4. Responsibility seal — Certified organisations receive a unique certificate ID and seal reference code for public verification.
  5. Renewal — Certifications are valid for 24 months and require re-assessment for renewal.

Complaints and appeals

Organisations may submit a written complaint regarding assessment conduct, scoring transparency, or certification decisions within 30 days of the published outcome. Appeals are reviewed by WCI staff independent of the original assessor. Contact the World Cleanup Institute certification team through your assessment correspondence channel or the email provided at application confirmation.

Certified status may be suspended or withdrawn if material non-compliance is confirmed or if the organisation misrepresents certification scope. Withdrawn certificates are marked accordingly on the public registry and verify page.

Verify and registry

Anyone can verify a certificate by ID at /verify or browse all certified organisations at /registry. Per-pillar scores are published for certified organisations.

Become a licensed auditor

Certification bodies (CABs) may apply for WCI accreditation to run assessments under this scheme. Submit an auditor application.