SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The idea behind the Sustainability Consortium first surfaced publicly when Walmart announced that it aspired to rate the sustainability of its products.

The world's largest retailer made a donation to launch the Consortium, but the organization has evolved to include some 90 government, business and NGO members and partners with the goal of creating the scientific standards with which companies can evaluate the life cycle environmental impacts of consumer products. Since its launch, companies such as Alcoa, Best Buy, Disney, HP, P&G, SAP, Tyson and Waste Management have joined.

Now the Consortium is entering a new phase, according to Kevin Dooley, senior advisor to the Sustainability Consortium and a professor of supply chain management at Arizona State University. In a workshop at the 2011 State of Green Business Forum in San Francisco Wednesday, Dooley gave an overview of the program and offered an update on its progress.

A range of factors created the need for an organization like the Consortium, Dooley explained. Both consumers and business customers are demanding more sustainable products at a time when supply chain inefficiencies are gaining increasing attention. Meanwhile, regulations for labeling and communications are emerging around the world, yet the scientific understanding of product-level social and environmental impacts isn't well-developed.

To shed light on some of these issues, the Consortium has several research projects underway, including an overview of the methods to screen chemical hazards with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell; a product attribute impact assessment for electronics with MIT that aims to drastically reduce time and costs; a study into consumer knowledge and behavior around sustainable products; research into agricultural and land-use impacts on biodiversity with the University of Arkansas; and an analysis of water resource indices to be conducted with the University of Michigan.

After the workshop, Dooley said there would be an acceleration of research projects to hit the pipeline. The Consortium will begin assembling sector working groups for paper, packaging, toys, and then after that, possibly building products and apparel. He expects there to be an increasing focus on end-of-life issues in electronics and sustainable agriculture practices. In the Spring, the results of the Consortium's initial products will be released for external review and public comment.

Dooley views the Consortium itself entering a second stage in delivering its promised goals. At some point, a portion of the Consortium may spin off as a nonprofit. "Many," Dooley said, "see measuring and reporting as best managed independently."