The international standard ISO 26000: 2010, Social Responsibility Guide, offers harmonized guidance, relevant globally for public and private sector organizations of all types based on an international consensus among experts representing the main interest groups, and in this way it promotes the application of best practices of social responsibility around the world.
The need for ISO to work on a SR standard was first identified in 2001 by ISO / COPOLCO, the Consumer Policy Committee. In 2003, the ISO multi-stakeholder Ad Hoc Group on RS that had been created by the ISO Technical Management Board (TMB) completed an extensive overview of RS initiatives and issues around the world. Six main interest groups have been represented: industry, government, labor, consumers: non-governmental organizations; service, support, research and others, as well as a geographical and gender balance of the participants.
A sustainable business for organizations means not only providing products and services that satisfy the customer, and doing so without endangering the environment, but also operating in a socially responsible way; ISO 26000 will be a powerful SR tool to help organizations move from good intentions to good actions.
The perception and reality of an organization's performance on social responsibility can influence, among other things:
- Your competitive advantage Your reputation Your ability to attract and retain employees or organization members, customers or users Maintain employee motivation, commitment and productivity The perception of investors, owners, donors, sponsors and the financial community, and your relationships with companies, governments, the media, suppliers and organizations.
In applying ISO 26000, it is recommended that an organization take into account society, environmental, legal, cultural, political and organizational diversity, as well as differences in economic conditions, while being compliant with international standards of behavior.
ISO 26000 is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes, or for regulatory or contractual use. Any offer to certify, or statements of being certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of intent and purpose and a departure from this international standard. As ISO 26000 does not establish requirements, any certification would not be a demonstration of conformity with this International Standard.
ISO 26000 will help all types of organization, regardless of size, activity or location, to operate in a socially responsible manner, by providing guidance on:
- Concepts, terms and definitions related to social responsibility Background, trends and characteristics of social responsibility Principles and practices related to social responsibility Core subjects and issues related to social responsibility Integration, implementation and promotion of socially responsible behavior throughout the organization and, through its related policies and practices, within its sphere of influence Identification and engagement with stakeholders Communication of commitments, performance and other information related to social responsibility.
The issues and / or chapters that the ISO 26000: 2010 Standard presents through its index are the following: Objective and Field of Application, Terms and Definitions, Understanding Social Responsibility, Principles of Social Responsibility, Recognizing Social Responsibility and Getting Involved with stakeholders, Guidance on Social Responsibility Core Subjects, Guidance on Integrating Social Responsibility across the Organization, ANNEX A Examples of voluntary initiatives and tools for Social Responsibility, ANNEX B Abbreviations and Bibliography.
