ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, has decided to launch the development of an International Standard providing guidelines for social responsibility (SR) named ISO 26000 or simply ISO SR and is expected to be released in 2010[1].
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Certification
This standard offers guidance on socially responsible behavior and possible actions; it does not contain requirements and, therefore, in contrast to ISO management system standards, is not certifiable.
The ISO 26000 scope clearly states “This International Standard is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use.” This statement includes that ISO 26000 cannot be used as basis for audits, conformity tests and certificates, or for compliance statements.
Recognizing first cases of misinterpretation of ISO 26000's purpose, this statement has even been strengthened, and reads now: “This International Standard is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. Any offers to certify, or claims to be certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of the intent and purpose of the International Standard."
As a guidance document the ISO 26000 is an offer, voluntary in use, and encourages organizations to discuss their social responsibility issues and possible actions with relevant stakeholders. As service providers, certification bodies do not belong to an organization’s stakeholders.
Project aim
There is a range of many different opinions as to the right approach ranging from strict legislation at one end to complete freedom at the other. The project is looking for a golden middle way that promotes respect and responsibility based on known reference documents without stifling creativity and development.
Development leadership
ISO has chosen Swedish Standards Institute (SIS) and ABNT, Brazilian Association of Technical Standards to provide the joint leadership of the ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility (WG SR). The WG SR has been given the task of drafting an International Standard for social responsibility that will be published in 2010 as ISO 26000.
Target: wide range
The need for organizations in both public and private sectors to behave in a socially responsible way is becoming a generalized requirement of society. It is shared by the stakeholder groups that are participating in the WG SR to develop ISO 26000: industry, government, labour, consumers, nongovernmental organizations and others, in addition to geographical and gender-based balance.
References
- ^ "Future ISO 26000 standard on social responsibility reaches positive turning point" (HTML). http://www.iso.org/iso/en/commcentre/pressreleases/2007/Ref1049.html.
External links
- Presentation of the ISO26000 project, by SIS
- ISO26000 Working documents website
- The ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility: developing the future ISO SR 26000 Standard, briefing paper written by Bart Slob and Gerard Oonk
- ISO 26000 de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (español)
- Portal de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial de Chile(español)
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