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Industry & Sector ISO 37101 2016

Sustainable Development in Communities

Management systems standard for sustainable development in communities, specifying requirements helping communities achieve sustainability and resilience through integrated strategies.

government urban planning municipalities public sector
About This Standard

ISO 37101 is the management system standard for sustainable development in communities, providing requirements that help local authorities, regional bodies, and urban development organisations achieve sustainability and resilience through integrated, long-term strategies.

The standard addresses the three dimensions of sustainability — environmental, social, and economic — within a community context, and requires organisations to engage with community stakeholders, establish meaningful performance indicators, and drive continual improvement in community sustainability outcomes.

ACI-certified auditors assess sustainable development management systems, evaluate community sustainability programmes, and review the adequacy of stakeholder engagement and performance measurement.

Examination Topic Areas
Community sustainability assessment and baseline establishment
Integrated sustainability strategy development for communities
Stakeholder engagement, participation, and co-creation
Environmental management in community and urban contexts
Social cohesion, equity, and inclusion requirements
Economic sustainability, local development, and employment
Community resilience and climate adaptation planning
Performance indicators and reporting for community sustainability
Examination & Certification Process
01
Attend Training

Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 37101.

02
Sit the Examination

Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.

03
Apply for Certification

Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.

Scheme Details
Standard ISO 37101
Edition 2016
Category Industry & Sector
Cert. Period 3 years
Framework ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
Available Grades PA · AA · AU · LA · PR · FACI
All Certification Schemes
Auditor Grades

Available Grades for ISO 37101

All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.

PA
Provisional Auditor

Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.

Foundation examination pass (70%)
No prior audit experience required
Annual CPD requirement applies
AA
Associate Auditor

For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 2 internal audits conducted
Annual CPD requirement applies
AU
Auditor

Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 5 complete audits
Annual CPD requirement applies
LA
Lead Auditor

Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.

Lead Auditor examination pass (65%)
Lead Auditor training course
Minimum 10 complete audits as team lead
PR
Principal Auditor

Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.

Lead Auditor grade prerequisite
Minimum 5 years audit experience
Professional development portfolio
FACI
Fellow of ACI

The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.

By nomination and committee review
Exceptional professional contribution
Sustained ACI membership
Ready to certify in ISO 37101?

Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.