Businesses — STEP Ratings System

If you wish to become Eco-certified, you have the option to apply anytime. At a minimum, you will need to submit the Required Policies and Documentation (P&D) and demonstrate your adherence to the related criteria (Step 2).  If your P&D is approved, you will receive a Bronze Eco-certified logo. 

If you opt to only purchase a 12-month license for our online Sustainability Management Framework and Self-assessment Tool (Step 1), you will not receive a rating.

Those that wish to receive a Silver, Gold or Platinum Eco-certified logo have to have an on-site assessment (Step 3), which verifies that they comply with a predetermined percentage of the available points.

	Eco-certified - Bronze These Eco-certified tourism businesses have completed a self-assessment and satisfied all minimum requirements, thereby demonstrating their commitment to sustainable tourism outcomes.  However, since they have not received an on-site assessment from a STEP-Accredited Assessor, the extent to which they have integrated sustainable business practices into their operations is unknown.  The Bronze Level signifies a business is in legal compliance to operate; they have drafted a sustainability policy; and have completed a triple bottom line impact assessment. These Eco-certified tourism businesses have had a 2nd-party desk assessment from STI, which verified that they are in adherence with the STEP Required criteria.
	Eco-certified - Silver: These Eco-certified tourism businesses are in the intermediate stages of sustainability and consider environmental and socio-economic impacts in their business decisions, operations, and activities. They have demonstrated adherence to all minimum requirements for eco-certification and have had their operations verified by an independent third-party. The Silver Level signifies a business has implemented some sustainability management systems to minimize negative and enhance positive impacts. Although their efforts are young, vast improvements should be apparent over time. These Eco-certified tourism businesses have had an on-site assessment from an independent 3rd Party STEP-Accredited Assessor, which verified that they've met the Required criteria, numerous Intermediate criteria, and perhaps a few Advanced criteria to accumulate 20-40% of the total possible points available.
	Eco-certified - Gold: These Eco-certified tourism businesses are advanced in terms of environmental and socio-economic responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. They are continuously working to improve their sustainability efforts throughout all business decisions, operations, and activities. The Gold Level signifies the management and staff are knowledgeable about sustainability issues related to their business and community and they encourage their guests and clients to be active participants while working to become industry leaders. These Eco-certified tourism businesses have had an on-site assessment from an independent 3rd Party STEP-Accredited Assessor, which verified that they've met the Required criteria, all Intermediate criteria, numerous Advanced criteria, and a few Industry Leading criteria to accumulate 41-70% of the total possible points available.
	Eco-certified - Platinum: These Eco-certified tourism businesses are industry leaders. They make sustainable development, environmental, socio-cultural, and economic development issues their priority. They are seen as environmentally innovative and socially responsible. They have an overwhelmingly positive impact on their employees, their community, their clients, and the environment. The Platinum Level signifies the business has and will continue to invest both time and money to maintain the highest levels of sustainability. The business has a deep commitment to quality, transparency, and accountability and all business decisions, operations, and activities reflect a triple bottom line philosophy. These Eco-certified tourism businesses have had an on-site assessment from an independent 3rd Party STEP-Accredited Assessor, which verified that they've met the Required criteria, all Intermediate criteria, most Advanced criteria, and numerous Industry Leading criteria to accumulate 71% or more of the total possible points available.

Disclaimer

The Sustainable Eco-Certification Program™ (STEP), the STEP Logos, and the Sustainable Travel International™ (STI) logo are trademarks of Sustainable Travel International. No company or person shall use the marks in connection with a program or service or in any way that indicates the program or service is certified until written authorization is provided by STI. STI may pursue legal recourse if the mark is misused.

For More Information

Contact us, call +503-488-5500, or Apply for STEP.  Or choose to learn more about Fees, How to Apply, and have your FAQs answered.