ISS STOXX Launches Methodology Updates for Governance QualityScore

ROCKVILLE, Md. (October 29, 2025) – ISS Sustainability Solutions, the sustainable investment arm of ISS STOXX, today announced the release of annual methodology enhancements to its industry-leading Governance QualityScore scoring solution for global institutional investors.  

Today’s release represents a material expansion for Governance QualityScore through the introduction of several new factors as well as the extension of existing factors to new markets, providing a more comprehensive and holistic assessment of corporate governance risk. Governance QualityScore will now also include FTSE AIM 200 companies within its universe.   

New elements are spread across three topical areas, including:

• New factors covering artificial intelligence (AI) that assess board oversight in the implementation and use of AI within companies.
• New factors covering auditor rotation, gender diversity in the European Union, and vesting periods for variable pay plans.  
• Expansion of certain governance and compensation factors to Australasia and the Nordic markets.  

To learn more about the new factors and when they will be scored, as well as the new application of existing factors to companies in additional markets and regions, please click here within the Methodology Highlights.

“Institutional subscribers will benefit from these latest enhancements, most notably through introduction of highly topical factors on AI oversight that will examine board-level supervision, the presence of directors with AI expertise, and the disclosure of company policies on the use of AI,” said Andrew Schultz, Head of Governance Data & Analytics Solutions at ISS Sustainability Solutions. “The geographic expansion reflected in this release shows the continuing convergence of governance practices globally. Governance QualityScore is a leading solution for institutions seeking an apples-to-apples comparison of the governance profiles of their portfolio companies across jurisdictions.”

In tandem with today’s release, ISS Sustainability Solutions also announced a data verification period from November 10 to 21 during which companies will be allowed to verify and submit changes to their data on all factors, including those added for this release, before scores are made available under the updated methodology. Access to the data verification portal is provided free-of-charge and year-round.

About ISS Sustainability Solutions
ISS Sustainability Solutions enables investors to develop and integrate responsible investing policies and practices, engage on sustainable investment issues, and monitor portfolio company practices through screening solutions. It also provides data, analytics, and advisory services to help financial market participants understand, measure, and act on sustainability-related risks across all asset classes. In addition, its solutions include corporate and country research and ratings enabling its clients to identify potential material sustainability risks and opportunities. For more information, please visit us at: www.iss-esg.com

About ISS STOXX
ISS STOXX GmbH, through its group companies, is a leading provider of comprehensive and data-centric research and technology solutions that help capital market participants identify investment opportunities, detect qualitative and quantitative portfolio company risks, and meet evolving regulatory requirements. With roots dating back to 1985, we today deliver world-class benchmark and custom indices across asset classes and geographies and serve as a premier source of independent corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence research, data, and related offerings. Our products and services give clients the scale and leverage they need to grow their business more effectively and efficiently. ISS STOXX, which is majority owned by Deutsche Börse Group, is comprised of more than 3,800 professionals operating across 30 global locations in 20 countries. Its approximately 5,500 clients include many of the world’s leading institutional investors who turn to ISS STOXX for its objective and varied offerings, as well as companies focused on ESG, cyber, and governance risk mitigation as a shareholder value enhancing measure. Clients rely on ISS STOXX’s expertise to help them make informed decisions to benefit their stakeholders.