The ISO 26000 standard is a set of guidelines that provides advice on how to operate in a socially responsible manner. The standard is based on seven core principles: accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for the rule of law, participation and inclusiveness, and promotion of social justice.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the ISO 26000 standard and its guidelines. ISO 26000 is a voluntary, international standard that provides guidelines for organizations on how to operate in a socially responsible manner. The standard is based on seven core subjects: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development. Each of these core subjects contains a set of guidelines that organizations can use to help them operate in a socially responsible manner.
Scope
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidelines for organizations on how to operate in a socially responsible way. The standard covers seven core subjects: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development. While the standard is not mandatory, it provides a framework that organizations can use to improve their social responsibility practices. The ISO 26000 standard can be used by any type of organization, large or small, for-profit or not-for-profit.
Normative references
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidelines for organizations to operate in a socially responsible manner. The standard is based on seven core subjects: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
The ISO 26000 standard is not a certification standard, meaning that organizations cannot be certified as being compliant with the standard. However, the standard can be used by organizations as a voluntary way to improve their social responsibility practices.
One of the benefits of the ISO 26000 standard is that it provides a common language and framework for organizations to discuss and improve their social responsibility practices. The standard is also designed to be applicable to organizations of all sizes and types, in all sectors of society.
The ISO 26000 standard was first published in 2010, and is currently in the process of being updated. The revised standard is expected to be published in 2020.
Terms and definitions
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidance on social responsibility for all organizations, whether they are for-profit or not-for-profit, large or small, in the public or private sector. The ISO 26000 standard is not a certification or auditing standard, and it does not set specific requirements that organizations must meet. Instead, the ISO 26000 standard provides a common framework that organizations can use to help them understand, plan, implement, and report on their social responsibility activities.
The ISO 26000 standard is organized around seven core subjects, each of which is further divided into a number of terms and definitions. The seven core subjects are:
Organizational governance
Human rights
Labor practices
The environment
Fair operating practices
Consumer issues
Community involvement and development
Each of these core subjects is further divided into a number of terms and definitions. For example, under the heading of "human rights", the ISO 26000 standard includes the following terms and definitions:
Human rights: rights that are inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: a document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 that sets out the fundamental human rights that should be enjoyed by all people.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: a document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 that sets out the economic, social, and cultural rights that all people are entitled to.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: a document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 that sets out the civil and political rights that all people are entitled to.
Each of these terms and definitions is further elaborated upon in the ISO 26000 standard.
Principles
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidelines for organizations on how to operate in a socially responsible manner. The standard is based on seven core principles: accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for the rule of law, and management of social and environmental impacts.
Organizations that adopt the ISO 26000 standard are expected to adhere to the seven core principles in all of their operations. Accountability requires organizations to be accountable for their actions and to make sure that their stakeholders are aware of their social responsibility policies and practices. Transparency means that organizations must be open and honest in their dealings with stakeholders, and must make information about their social responsibility policies and practices easily accessible. Ethical behavior requires organizations to act in an ethical manner in all of their dealings with stakeholders. Respect for stakeholder interests means that organizations must take into account the interests of all of their stakeholders when making decisions. Respect for the rule of law means that organizations must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Management of social and environmental impacts means that organizations must manage the social and environmental impacts of their operations in a responsible manner.
The ISO 26000 standard provides organizations with a framework for operating in a socially responsible manner. By adhering to the seven core principles, organizations can ensure that they are acting in a way that is beneficial to society as a whole.
Overview of the structure of ISO 26000
ISO 26000:2010 provides guidance on social responsibility to promote the implementation of socially responsible behaviour throughout the supply chain. The standard is based on seven core subjects, which are organized into 10 clauses.
The first three clauses address the concepts of social responsibility, the principles of social responsibility, and the scope and application of ISO 26000.
The next three clauses address the process of social responsibility, including stakeholder engagement, communication, and organizational governance.
The final four clauses address the social responsibility topics of environment, human rights, labour practices, fair operating practices, and consumer issues.
ISO 26000 is not a certification standard, and therefore cannot be used to certify that an organization is compliant with the standard. However, many organizations are using ISO 26000 as a framework to develop their own internal policies and procedures on social responsibility.
Guidance on social responsibility core subjects
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidelines for social responsibility core subjects. These guidelines are based on seven core subjects, which are: organizational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
Organizational governance: The organization should have a governance structure that promotes social responsibility.
Human rights: The organization should respect the human rights of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
Labour practices: The organization should promote decent working conditions and practices.
The environment: The organization should protect the environment.
Fair operating practices: The organization should operate in a fair and transparent manner.
Consumer issues: The organization should protect the rights of consumers.
Community involvement and development: The organization should contribute to the development of the community in which it operates.
Integration of social responsibility throughout an organization
The guidelines of the ISO 26000 standard are important for the integration of social responsibility throughout an organization. The standard provides guidance on how organizations can operate in a socially responsible way. It includes seven core topics: organizational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
The ISO 26000 standard is important for organizations to consider when integrating social responsibility throughout their operations. The guidelines provide a framework for organizations to address social responsibility issues. The seven core topics covered in the standard can help organizations to identify and address areas of social concern. The standard can also help organizations to develop policies and practices that support social responsibility.
The guidelines of the ISO 26000 standard are important for the integration of social responsibility throughout an organization. The standard provides guidance on how organizations can operate in a socially responsible way. It includes seven core topics: organizational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
The ISO 26000 standard is important for organizations to consider when integrating social responsibility throughout their operations. The guidelines provide a framework for organizations to address social responsibility issues. The seven core topics covered in the standard can help organizations to identify and address areas of social concern. The standard can also help organizations to develop policies and practices that support social responsibility.
Organizations that integrate social responsibility throughout their operations can benefit from the ISO 26000 standard. The guidelines can help organizations to identify and address areas of social concern. The standard can also help organizations to develop policies and practices that support social responsibility. Organizations that integrate social responsibility into their operations can create a positive impact on society.
Social responsibility communication
The ISO 26000 standard provides guidelines for social responsibility communication. This communication can take many forms, including advertising, public relations, and employee communications. The standard covers six key areas: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, and consumer issues.
Organizations that adopt the ISO 26000 standard are expected to adhere to the guidelines in all areas of their operations. In addition, they are encouraged to communicate their social responsibility policies and practices to their employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
The ISO 26000 standard is voluntary, but many businesses and organizations are beginning to see the benefits of adopting it. By doing so, they are able to show their commitment to social responsibility and build trust with their stakeholders.