What RIAA looks for in certifying financial advisers and financial advisory groups
A financial adviser has committed to offering responsible and ethical advice to all their clients, is experienced in offering specialist advice, and has responsible investment products on their approved product list.
A financial advisory group has committed to offering responsible and ethical advice to all their clients and support the ongoing responsible investment education of their adviser network.
Successful Licensees will demonstrate that they have the systems and product offerings in place that will enable the professional management and servicing of clients interested in responsible investing.
Financial Adviser requirements
1 Be Licensed
Maintain authority to provide financial advice in their jurisdiction.
2 Have Professional Membership
Maintain a current membership with a professional body.
3 Be Experienced
Have completed an approved training course OR have at least two year’s relevant experience providing responsible investment advice.
4 Be Educated
Meet the minimum ongoing education requirements by demonstrating how they stay up to date with developments in responsible investment through continuing education.
5 Promote responsible investment services
Undertake to enquire about the environmental, social and governance preferences of ALL of their clients, as a minimum including appropriate questioning, and be able to perform an adequate client interview process.
6 Provide responsible investment products
Can demonstrate that they can research and offer responsible investment products, having RI products on their approved products list (or equivalent). 
Additional Requirements Advisory Groups
Advisory groups must meet the requirements (above), plus;
1 Be legal
Meet operational and disclosure requirements and make publicly available specific details of their services as laid out under the respective category of the Certification Standard.
2 Be trained or experienced
Their key and responsible investment personnel have at least two years’ relevant experience providing responsible investment advice and can demonstrate how they stay up to date on developments in responsible investing.
3 Have a Responsible Investment Policy
Have in place a published responsible investment charter or policy that governs the way responsible investment is considered and implemented across the entire portfolio.
4 Promote responsible investment services
Include responsible investments as part of the services systematically delivered to ALL clients, that should be able to be demonstrated by clear auditable process (e.g. such as questions in Fact Find, or online sign up).
5 Promote the Program
Incorporate the Certification Symbol into their marketing and communications material in accordance with the Certification Symbol Licensee Agreement and the Licensee Marketing Kit and Style Guide.
The process
While the certification process may vary between categories, our most popular category of products and services takes a distinct approach. All newly certifying products and services undergo the following process. For all new certifications, please email our membership team at enquiries@responsibleinvestment.org.
1 —
Meet the eligibility requirments as above
You can speak with the Membership Team to discuss eligibility.
2 —
Submit application
Email enquiries@
responsibleinvestment.org
3 —
RIAA certification team assessment
RIAA certification team assesses application.
4 —
RIAA Certification team approval
RIAA certification team approves the application.
5 —
Commit to updates & ongoing requirements
As per the Program criteria, during the certification term (generally two years). Material changes may trigger early recertification.
6 —
Commit to updates & ongoing requirements
As per the Program criteria, during the certification term (generally two years). Material changes may trigger early recertification.
7 —
Product Claims Spot Check
Submit to RIAA’s spot checks conducted by the RIAA Certification Team or a member of the IVP.
What our members with certified products and services have to say
RIAA has played and continues to play a central role in mainstreaming responsible investment at the same time as raising responsible investment standards to safeguard RI’s integrity and impact. RIAA is innovative and adaptable in pursuit of its purpose, working across the investment ecosystem as well as beyond it, with a recent highlight being the energy and insight contributed to the massive Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative.
‍
Dr Stuart Palmer
Australian Ethical