ISO 26000
Encyclopedia
ISO, the International Organization for Standardization
, has launched an International Standard providing guidelines for social responsibility (SR) named ISO 26000 or simply ISO SR and was released on 1 November 2010.
The ISO 26000 scope clearly states (May 2010, Draft FDIS, N191) “This International Standard is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. Any offer to certify, or claims to be certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of the intent and purpose and a misuse of this International Standard. As this International Standard does not contain requirements, any such certification would not be a demonstration of conformity with this International Standard.” 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.
ISO(International Standard Organization)
(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 was given the task of drafting an International Standard for social responsibility that was published in 2010 as ISO 26000.
International Organization for Standardization
The International Organization for Standardization , widely known as ISO, is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on February 23, 1947, the organization promulgates worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial...
, has launched an International Standard providing guidelines for social responsibility (SR) named ISO 26000 or simply ISO SR and was released on 1 November 2010.
Guidance without 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 (May 2010, Draft FDIS, N191) “This International Standard is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. Any offer to certify, or claims to be certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of the intent and purpose and a misuse of this International Standard. As this International Standard does not contain requirements, any such certification would not be a demonstration of conformity with this International Standard.” 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.ISO(International Standard Organization)
Development leadership
ISO chose Swedish Standards InstituteSwedish Standards Institute
SIS, Swedish Standards Institute, is an independent organization, founded in 1922, with members from the private and public sector.-Activities:...
(SIS) and ABNT, Brazilian Association of Technical Standards to provide the joint leadership of the ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility
Social responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the...
(WG SR). The WG SR was given the task of drafting an International Standard for social responsibility that was 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.External links
- NORMAPME ISO 26000 User Guide for European SMEs
- ISO 26000 User Guide, IFAN recommended
- ISO 26000 User Guide, in various languages
- ISO 26000 Working documents website
- Presentation of the ISO26000 project, by SIS Winter/Spring 2006
- ISO 26000 Community on LinkedIn
- 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)
- Blog de la ISO 26000 (español)
- Social Responsibility ISO26000 & SA8000