Assocalzaturifici Italiani’s sustainability certification mark VCS (Verified and Certified Steps) for footwear companies. It helps manufacturers understand, measure and implement strategies to improve their positioning vis-à-vis environmental and social sustainability issues. It informs stakeholders and brands about the level of sustainability achieved by Italian footwear manufacturers and, in a form of sustainability certification mark, it promotes the latest in the international market. 
The initiative is based on ISO 26000, the international standard for social responsibility, and consolidates the principal global sustainability standards. Through a specific software, VCS harmonises the most well-known and recognised international standards, translating them into 9 dimensions of social and environmental sustainability, subdivided into 40 topics and more than 200 requirements.

VCS measurement and certification process involves 4 steps: 

1. Self-assessment of the company’s ability to meet certain essential sustainability requirements
2. Confirmation of the essential requirements, development of an improvement plan, and identification of key suppliers
3. Implementation of the improvement plan, confirmation of essential requirements, and assessment of key suppliers
4. Final confirmation by the company and its principal suppliers, with ongoing implementation of sustainability improvements.

Each step is associated with a certain minimum score. Upon achieving the required score, the certification body validates the company’s qualification for certification.

Initially, five footwear manufacturing companies began the certification process, each of them representing a category of footwear businesses in Italy: 2 independent family owned businesses, 1 fashion group owned / participated businesses, 2 SMEs. 
Current status: Among these, some companies have successfully completed the certification process and are now certified. However, two companies have withdrawn from the certification process. Additionally, four more companies are currently considering starting the process.