General use of GRI logos and trademarks

The GRI logo cannot be used by third parties without prior written permission from GRI. If permission is granted it is subject to the following conditions:

• GRI is not an auditor, assessor, certifier, or verifier of sustainability reports.  Therefore, the corporate logo cannot be used to indicate a "stamp of approval" of a sustainability report, or products and services associated with reporting.
• GRI does not endorse any particular company that offers consulting, training, software, assurance or similar services. The logo should not be used in a manner that indicates an alignment or "stamp of approval" for a company’s services or expertise in relation to GRI sustainability reporting products.
• GRI reserves the right to take appropriate action when the logo is used without its permission or if it is adapted, modified or otherwise used inappropriately.

Use of the GRI logo in printed sustainability reports

The GRI logo cannot be used inside a printed or online sustainability (or similar) report. This is because GRI does not in anyway endorse, certify, assure, or approve reports. Reporting organizations can choose to display the Organizational Stakeholder logo (see below) and/or the Application Level logo(s) (see below) in these instances, and subject to the policies for those images.

Linking to the GRI website and using the logo online

Third parties can use the GRI logo online, and link to the GRI webpage. Use of the logo online must contain all of the following elements:

• A logo (contact us to request a .jpg)
• A comment putting the link in context
• A hyperlink itself leading viewers to GRI’s website (www.globalreporting.org) or sub-sites as defined in a permission agreement directly with us.

Note that the logo may not be used without a corresponding link to GRI’s website, but that links may be used without an accompanying logo.

Logo sharing is permitted when the link is presented in the context of a list of resources for sustainability, more information about sustainability reporting, or other similar reference situations. Logo sharing will also be permitted in cases where the external party has reproduced GRI material, with prior permission, on their site and uses it for the purposes of providing proper attribution.

The GRI web logo may also be used online in the context of illustrating a GRI Content Index, as long as it follows the same conditions as outlined above, namely, the inclusion of a link and a corresponding contextual explanation.

Like the print logo policy, web logo sharing is not permitted in situations where an organization tries to show closer ties to GRI that do not exist, endorsement of products or services, or where a GRI reporter affixes the GRI logo to their sustainability report or web pages (with the exception of the Content Index).

Where permission is granted, these terms and conditions apply:

• GRI is not an auditor, assessor, certifier, or verifier of sustainability reports.  Therefore, the logo cannot be used to indicate a "stamp of approval" of a sustainability report.
• GRI does not endorse any particular company that offers consulting, training, software, assurance or similar services. The logo should not be used in a manner that indicates an alignment or "stamp of approval" for a company’s services or expertise in relation to GRI sustainability reporting products.
• GRI reserves the right to take appropriate action when the logo is used without its permission or if it is adapted, modified or otherwise used inappropriately.

Inquiries as to proper usage of the GRI logo should be directed to info@globalreporting.org

Use of the Organizational Stakeholder (OS) logo

This logo is updated every year and will be available upon OS renewal each year. Organizational Stakeholders are encouraged to use the OS logo in a manner which reflects the spirit of their relationship with and commitment to GRI.  This logo can be used for promotional purposes provided that such use does not give the false impression that GRI endorses, approves or certifies your sustainability report, annual report or any product or service that the OS may provide.

GRI encourages the use of the following statement when using the OS logo:

“We are a registered Organizational Stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and support the mission of the GRI to develop globally accepted sustainability reporting guidelines through a global, multi-stakeholder process.”

The following terms and conditions apply:

• GRI is not an auditor, assessor, certifier, or verifier of sustainability reports.  Therefore, the OS logo cannot be used to indicate a "stamp of approval" of a sustainability report.
• GRI does not endorse any particular company that offers consulting, training, software, assurance or similar services. The logo should not be used in a manner that indicates an alignment or "stamp of approval" for a company’s services or expertise in relation to GRI sustainability reporting products.
• GRI reserves the right to take appropriate action when the OS logo is used without its permission or if it is adapted, modified or otherwise used inappropriately.

Use of Application Level logos

GRI provides three categories of logos that reporting organizations can use in their printed or online reports, and in other promotional materials, to depict the level to which they applied the GRI Reporting Framework in their reporting activities. The following apply:

Reporting organizations can self-declare the extent to which they applied the GRI Reporting Framework following the “Application Level criteria” and display the appropriate corresponding seal (only one can be displayed per report). This seal can be placed in a printed or online report, and/or in other materials related to the promotion and dissemination of the report. This seal is available as a free download here (zip)

Self-declared Application Level seals

Reporting organizations have the option to engage with a third party to check the accuracy of their self-declared Application Level. If this party agrees the reporting organization may display the following logo in their printed or online report, and/or in other materials related to the promotion and dissemination of the report. The appropriate seal must be selected, only one seal per report. This seal is available as a free download.

Third-party checked Application Level seals

Reporting organization can request that the GRI secretariat check the accuracy of their self-declared Application Level. Upon rendering its opinion GRI will provide the appropriate seal corresponding to the achieved level that the reporting organization may display. The logo can be displayed in their printed or online report, and/or in other materials related to the promotion and dissemination of the report. This is a paid service provided by GRI and the seal is only provided upon completion of the service.

GRI-checked Application Level seals

A report can only contain one seal per category (self-declared, third party checked, GRI checked) and can contain one, two, or three of the seals in any combination to best depict the way the organization has  utilized the application level system.

Application Level table

Organizations are encouraged to reproduce the following grid and place their seals within it:

The following terms and conditions apply:

• GRI is not an auditor, assessor, certifier, or verifier of sustainability reports.  Therefore, the Application Level logos cannot be used to indicate a "stamp of approval" of a sustainability report.
• GRI reserves the right to take appropriate action when the logo is used without its permission or if it is adapted, modified or otherwise used inappropriately.