WCI Responsibility Framework

Current version: WCI Responsibility Framework v1.1 · sector question set v2.7 (22 question sets, 1,540 questions). The weighting profile used is named on each passport. Every assessment is pinned to the version in force on the day it was approved; superseded versions remain available in the version archive.

1. Seven pillars
2. Questions and points scale
3. Evidence rules
4. Weighting
5. Assessment process
6. Objections and complaints
7. Validity and review
8. Independence and conflicts of interest
9. Status values
10. Thresholds
11. Use of the WCRI score
12. Versions and archive

1 · Seven pillars

Each pillar is oriented on one core subject of ISO 26000 (Guidance on social responsibility). ISO 26000 is a guidance standard and is not intended for certification.

2 · Questions and points scale

Each pillar is assessed with questions from the sector question set (current: v2.7). It comprises 22 question sets with 1,540 questions in 21 topic areas, from energy and industry through plastics and packaging to municipalities and communities. Some question sets are still marked as drafts; only final question sets are used for published scores. Questions that do not apply to the assessed organisation are excluded from its pillar’s denominator.

Each applicable question scores 0, 1 or 2 points.

Pillar score = points ÷ (2 × applicable questions) × 100.
WCRI score = weighted sum of the seven pillar scores (see section 4), rounded to one decimal place.

Statements without a documented source stay in the denominator and score zero until evidenced. If a pillar cannot be assessed because too many of its questions do not apply, no overall score is formed; the assessment remains “incomplete”. This prevents a score built from only some of the pillars from being read as complete.

3 · Evidence rules

Every “yes” is checked against the cited source. Statements without a documented source count as zero until evidenced. The Responsibility Passport shows the share of each evidence class.

4 · Weighting

Pillar scores are weighted. Each weighting profile sums to 100 %. The profile used is named on each Responsibility Passport and pinned to the assessment.

Profile “organisation” — companies, NGOs and other organisations

Municipal profiles K1–K4

Municipalities are assessed with their own weighting and question scope:

Sector-specific weightings may apply to some organisation types. Thresholds used by partner programmes are set by those programmes, not by the index.

5 · Assessment process

Ten steps in four phases: application, quick interview, gap identification, data collection, evidence review and scoring, four-eyes approval, 14-day comment period, score and listing, annual review, re-assessment after 24 months. Details: WCRI Assessment Process.

6 · Objections and complaints

• Comment period: After approval, the organisation receives its result and has 14 days to comment. The score is published only after this period.
• Objection: The organisation can object to the result in writing to [email protected], stating reasons.
• Decision: Objections are decided by a WCI reviewer who was not involved in the assessment. The decision is given in writing with reasons.
• Complaints by third parties: Anyone can report doubts about a listing or a Responsibility Passport to [email protected]. Complaints are logged and answered in writing; where justified, they lead to a corrected or suspended listing.

7 · Validity and review

WCRI scores are valid for 24 months from approval. Between assessments, participants submit an annual progress report; score changes are approved by a second WCI reviewer. Details: Annual WCRI Review.

8 · Independence and conflicts of interest

• Assessor and approver are two different people. Neither may have worked for or advised the assessed organisation in the past two years.
• Relationships between the assessed organisation and WCI, BCBT, Let’s Do It Germany e.V. or World Cleanup Day (for example sponsoring, in-kind support, membership, mandates) are disclosed in the Responsibility Passport.
• The WCI director is president of Let’s Do It Germany e.V. and is not involved in the assessment of Let’s Do It Germany e.V.
• Governance: the WCI operates the index (methodology, assessment, publication). The WCRI Advisory Board accompanies its development: Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg (WCI, internal member) · Marc Leberecht-Schneider · Daniela Felder.

9 · Status values

The same status values are used on the WCRI List and in the Responsibility Passport. “Pilot” is shown as a separate label, not as a status.

Every status change is recorded with date and reason.

10 · Thresholds

A score of 65 or above is required for the Responsibility Seal in phase 2. The seal is not issued in phase 1. Thresholds used by partner programmes are set by those programmes, not by the index.

11 · Use of the WCRI score

In phase 1 the WCRI is not a certification scheme. Participants may refer to their WCRI listing and link to their Responsibility Passport. They may not present the WCRI score, the listing or the Responsibility Passport as a certification, a seal or a sustainability label.

12 · Versions and archive

Changes to pillars, questions, points scale or weighting create a new version. Superseded versions remain available here so that every Responsibility Passport can be traced to the version it was assessed under.

This page replaces the planned platform rap.worldcleanup.org as the public reference for the WCRI methodology. Operator: World Cleanup Institute for Entrepreneurship and Impact (WCI) at BCBT Berlin College of Business and Technology GmbH.