The importance of this Standard

Through a deep understanding of their water use, organizations can assess the impacts they have on water resources that benefit the ecosystem, other water users, and the organization itself. This, in turn, informs effective water management.

GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 will be effective for reports and other materials published on or after 1 January 2021. 

Basis for conclusions

A first exposure draft of the updated Water and Effluents Standard was made available for a 60-day public comment period between 10 August to 9 October 2017.  

Following revisions based on the received comments, a second exposure draft was made available for a 60-day public comment period between 20 December 2017 to 18 February 2018.  

The GSSB Basis for conclusions provides a summary of the public comments received. It also provides a summary of how the GSSB responded to these comments in finalizing the Standard.

First public comment period 

Full set of public feedback for GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 – Public Comment Period 10 August – 9 October 2017 

Basis for conclusions for GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 - Public Comment Period 10 August – 9 October 2017  

Second public comment period 

Full set of public feedback for GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 – Public Comment Period 20 December 2017 – 18 February 2018 

Basis for conclusions for GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 - Public Comment Period 20 December 2017 – 18 February 2018  

About the project

In 2016, the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), GRI's independent standard-setting body, initiated a project to review and update GRI 303: Water 2016. The aim of this project was to ensure that the standard aligns with internationally agreed best practice and reflects recent developments in water management and reporting.  

A multi-stakeholder Water Working Group appointed by the GSSB began its work on the project in December 2017. Two public comment periods were held for the project. All received comments were considered by the Water Working Group and the GSSB. 

In April 2018, the GSSB approved the updated Standard  GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018. The project followed the GSSB Due Process Protocol, the implementation of which was overseen by the Due Process Oversight Committee. 

Want to know more

• Listen to our podcast in which we talk with Paul Reig from the World Resources Institute on the current state of water stewardship reporting.