ICC welcomes Standard Chartered’s full adoption of ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance

The ICC PSTF are recognised as the first comprehensive, globally standardised framework addressing all major sustainability dimensions in trade finance. Standard Chartered’s adoption reflects growing market engagement with the framework and highlights the role of common standards in supporting sustainable and inclusive trade flows.

The PSTF integrate three complementary pillars, providing a common language and robust methodology to assess, validate and communicate sustainability performance:

• Green Trade Finance (PGTF) – driving environmentally sustainable trade
• Social Trade Finance (PSoTF) – enabling measurable positive social impact
• Sustainability-Linked Supply Chain Finance (PSL-SCF) – embedding sustainability performance incentives across supply chains

Together, these pillars support improved transparency, comparability and accountability in trade finance, while enabling financial institutions and their clients to align activities with evolving sustainability objectives.

Andrew Wilson, Deputy Secretary General, Policy at ICC said:
“Standard Chartered’s adoption of the ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance framework marks an important step for the industry and reflects continued market engagement in establishing common approaches to sustainable trade finance. It demonstrates that a globally consistent, practical and scalable framework is achievable and can support greater transparency, comparability and consistency across markets.”

The implementation of the ICC PSTF is expected to support a range of benefits, including enhanced transparency for clients, more efficient processes and access to a broader set of sustainable trade finance solutions. The framework’s structured approach also facilitates measurable environmental and social outcomes, while helping market participants adapt to changing regulatory and market expectations.

Sofia Hammoucha, Global Head of Trade Finance & Working Capital at Standard Chartered, said:
“The integration of the ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance is a significant milestone for both our clients and the wider industry. By setting clear, transparent and consistent standards, we empower our clients to achieve measurable sustainability outcomes and navigate an evolving regulatory landscape with confidence. This full commitment demonstrates our determination to drive responsible growth and positive impact across global supply chains.”

The Green Trade Finance pillar has been endorsed by 11 leading global trade banks, indicating early momentum and confidence in the framework. Broader adoption of the full PSTF may further support efforts toward harmonisation and interoperability across sustainable trade finance standards.

ICC encourages banks and financial institutions to consider endorsing and adopting the ICC Principles for Sustainable Trade Finance – either in full or through individual pillars – to advance a more aligned and effective sustainable trade finance ecosystem. ICC will continue to support market adoption through guidance, capacity building and industry dialogue, with the aim of advancing a common framework for sustainable trade finance.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is ICC’s long-standing strategic partner on the Sustainable Trade programme and co-led the working groups that developed the PSTF.

Read more about our work on sustainable trade and sustainable trade finance.