Eco-Programming Alliance
The Guardian of the Standard: Eco-Programming Alliance
Founded by programmer Valeri Rakitine in Canada, the Eco-Programming Alliance (EPA) is a registered federal Non-Profit Organization (NPO). EPA acts as the independent steward of the MSI standard and the ideological heart of the eco-programming paradigm.
The organization has no share capital. All profits from certification and partnerships are reinvested exclusively into methodology development, education, and research. Directors serve without compensation, guaranteeing the absolute independence and ethics of the mission.
No share capital
EPA cannot be owned, sold, or speculatively held — by design.
Reinvestment-only
100% of certification and partnership profits flow back into methodology, education, and research.
Unpaid directors
Board members serve without compensation, locking in independence and ethical mission.
Cross-Border Oversight, Global Reach
To ensure cross-border oversight and global reach, the EPA International Board of Directors includes experts from Canada, Germany, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The Alliance maintains an active strategic dialogue with UN institutions, including UNCTAD and the CODES coalition (Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability), to integrate methodological sustainability metrics into the global digital economy agenda.
Below — industry alliance behind the standard
A Standard Built by Builders, Not Backers
The MSI Founding Consortium is an alliance of tech visionaries, audit firms, and market leaders. Our goal is the co-development and implementation of an independent international software evaluation standard (Assurance of Software Integrity). We believe the rules of the game should be written by those who build the digital world and are responsible for auditing it.
Tech visionaries
Architects shaping the next generation of software systems.
Audit firms
Professionals who already certify the world's most critical IT assets.
Market leaders
Operators with skin in the game — accountable for digital outcomes.
Three Tiers of Participation
The consortium offers a three-tier participation model.
Founding Members
Global leaders acting as co-developers of the MSI framework and defining the standard's development strategy.
Contributing Members
Companies and experts actively participating in practical analysis, metric testing, and pilot audits.
Observers
External auditors, government regulators, and academia, ensuring process transparency and legitimacy.
90-Day Qualification Window
We are opening a 90-day qualification period for applications to the MSI Founding Consortium. Key selection criteria include strategic alignment with the MLS mission, readiness for IT-risk innovation, and audit expertise. Participation grants access to the multi-billion dollar IT audit market and the formation of a new global service: Assurance of Software Integrity.
Assurance of Software Integrity
Access to the multi-billion dollar IT audit market and co-creation of a new global service category.
Compensation and Governance Policy
Compensation and Governance Policy for the Advisory & Selection Group
How the Advisory & Selection Group is compensated, governed, and held accountable during the formation of the MSI Founding Consortium.
Purpose and Functions of the Advisory & Selection Group
The Advisory & Selection Group performs several key functions in the formation of the MSI Founding Consortium.
Evaluation function
Assists in the review and assessment of candidates for membership in the MSI Founding Consortium.
Methodological function
Helps ensure that the future MSI develops as a serious, independent framework rather than a private product of a single organization.
Reputational function
The very composition of the Group signals to the market that the project is not a personal initiative of one individual, but has a professional circle of trust and external validation.
Institutional function
Helps give the formation process the structured form of a future standard or assurance framework.
Compensation of Advisory & Selection Group Members
Members of the Advisory & Selection Group may receive a reasonable fixed periodic honorarium for their professional time and contribution. This compensation covers participation in meetings, review of candidate materials, methodological feedback, evaluation of applications, and preparation of recommendations.
Such honorarium is not contingent upon the admission, rejection, or financial contribution of any candidate or consortium participant. Members of the Advisory & Selection Group are not expected to act as sales agents, fundraisers, or recruiters. Their role is strictly limited to supporting the integrity, credibility, methodological quality, and independent governance of the MSI Founding Consortium formation process.
Governance of the Advisory & Selection Group
Founding Steering Committee
Until the MSI Founding Consortium is formally established and its permanent governance bodies are elected, the functions of the Steering Committee shall be performed by the Founding Steering Committee. It is formed by the initiators of the Consortium and consists of 3–7 key founding members. The Founding Steering Committee has full authority to make decisions related to the formation of the Consortium, including the appointment of members to the Advisory & Selection Group.
Term of Office and Rotation
Members serve an initial term of two (2) years, renewable once for an additional two-year term (maximum four years of continuous service). To ensure continuity and fresh perspectives, terms are staggered so that approximately half of the Group’s members complete their term each year. After reaching the maximum term, a member must stand down for at least one year before becoming eligible for re-appointment.
Appointment Process
Members are appointed by the Founding Steering Committee following a transparent nomination and selection process. Appointments take into account relevant expertise, independence, diversity of sectors and geography, and the absence of conflicts of interest.
Time Commitment
Members are expected to dedicate approximately 20–30 hours per year, including participation in 4–6 meetings and the review of candidate materials. This level of commitment justifies the fixed periodic honorarium and ensures meaningful professional contribution.
Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality
To maintain the highest standards of governance, members must strictly adhere to confidentiality protocols regarding all candidate materials and proprietary information. Members are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest (financial, personal, or professional) and recuse themselves from the evaluation of any candidate with whom they have a direct or affiliated relationship.
Indemnification and Liability Protection
The MSI Founding Consortium shall indemnify members of the Advisory & Selection Group against any claims or liabilities arising from their good-faith performance of duties in accordance with the Consortium’s governing documents and applicable law. The Consortium will also maintain appropriate Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance coverage where feasible.
Transparency
The composition of the Advisory & Selection Group, together with the compensation policy and total amounts paid, will be disclosed annually in the Consortium’s public reports or governance documents. The effectiveness of the Group will be reviewed annually by the Founding Steering Committee.