DNV awards one of the world's first ISO/UNDP 53001 certifications to CTR Co., Ltd.
Seoul, 30 September 2026 – CTR Co., Ltd., a South Korean mobility and automotive components manufacturer, has been certified by DNV to ISO/UNDP 53001. The new international management system standard helps organizations systematically manage and strengthen their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CTR is among the first organizations globally to achieve formal certification to ISO/UNDP 53001 following publication of the standard.
The new standard, jointly developed by ISO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), sets out management system requirements that organizations can use to turn their SDG commitments into structured and systematic action. ISO/UNDP 53001 helps embed sustainable development into strategy, decision-making and operations, enabling organizations to set priorities, evaluate performance and continually improve their contribution to sustainable development.
A long-term commitment to sustainability
CTR pursued certification as part of its commitment to integrating sustainability into its overall business management system rather than managing sustainability as a separate ESG initiative.
As a supplier of chassis and steering components to global automotive manufacturers and the aftermarket, CTR focused on establishing a systematic and consistent framework to link sustainable development objectives with its business strategy and day-to-day operations, while effectively managing related activities and performance.
CTR proactively pursued the assessment before the standard was formally published. Rather than responding to specific customer requirements or regulatory obligations, the company sought independent third-party validation of the effectiveness of its sustainability management system and an opportunity to further strengthen its approach.
In June 2026, CTR received a Letter of Conformity against the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) version of ISO/UNDP 53001 and subsequently completed the formal certification process following publication of the international standard.
To support its certification journey, CTR worked closely with DNV from the early stages of the standard’s development. DNV provided relevant guidance and a certification roadmap during the development phase, conducted the conformity assessment against the FDIS, and subsequently carried out the formal certification audit following publication of the international standard.
“This certification reflects our commitment to making sustainability an integral part of how we manage and develop our business. ISO/UNDP 53001 provides a practical framework to align our business strategy and operations with sustainable development objectives while supporting transparency, accountability and continual improvement,” said Sang Woo Kang, Vice Chairman, CTR Co., Ltd.
“As the mobility industry continues to evolve, we believe sustainability must be embedded into everyday decision-making rather than treated as a separate initiative. We selected DNV based on a combination of trust, expertise and early readiness for the new standard. DNV provided timely guidance and a clear certification roadmap from the early stages of the standard’s development, helping CTR systematically prepare for implementation and certification,” he added.
Supporting sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving mobility sector
The automotive supply industry is undergoing significant change, driven by electrification, vehicle lightweighting, digitalization and growing sustainability expectations across global value chains. In this environment, there is an increasing need for organizations to move beyond individual sustainability initiatives and commitments and establish systematic approaches that integrate sustainability into business strategy and day-to-day operations.
“CTR Co., Ltd.’s ISO/UNDP 53001 certification is meaningful in that it connects the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the company’s core business strategy and actual operations,” said Eun Kyung Lee, Director at UN Global Compact Network Korea. “We hope these efforts will serve as a good example of how concrete business actions can lead to measurable and long-term sustainability performance.”
“We congratulate CTR Co., Ltd on achieving this certification. ISO/UNDP 53001 gives organizations a practical way to turn sustainability commitments into systematic management activities and measurable results,” said Soyoung Lee, Area Manager – Korea at DNV.
“For companies operating in a rapidly changing global mobility sector, the standard provides a stronger foundation for integrating sustainable development into business decisions and operations,” she added.
ISO/UNDP 53001 has been developed jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The standard specifies requirements for a management system to optimize an organization’s contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is designed to be applicable to organizations of any type or size.
