Guidance On Social Responsibility

26000Guidance on social responsibilityDiscoveringISO 26000

Discovering ISO 26000provides a basicunderstandingof the voluntaryInternational StandardISO 26000:2010,Guidance on socialresponsibility.This guidance document constitutes a steppingstone for organizations in both the public and private sectors who want to implement ISO 26000as a means of achieving the benefits of operatingin a socially responsible manner.3

Why is social responsibilityimportant ?The objective of socialresponsibility is tocontribute to sustainabledevelopment.Organizations around the world, andtheir stakeholders, are becomingincreasingly aware of the need for,and benefits of, socially responsiblebehaviour. The objective of socialresponsibility is to contribute to sustainable development.An organization’s commitment to thewelfare of society and the environmenthas become a central criterion in measuring its overall performance and itsability to continue operating effectively.This, in part, is a reflection of the growing recognition that we need to ensurehealthy ecosystems, social equity andgood organizational governance. Ultimately, an organization’s activitiesdepend on the health of the world’secosystems. These days, organizationsare subject to greater scrutiny by theirvarious stakeholders.

What benefits can be achieved by implementingISO 26000 ?An organization’s performance on social responsibility can influence, among other things: Competitive advantage Reputation The ability to attract and retain workers or members,customers, clients and users The maintenance of employee morale, commitment andproductivity The perception of investors, owners, donors, sponsors andthe financial community Relationships with companies, governments, the media,suppliers, peers, customers and the community in which itoperates5

Who can benefit from ISO 26000and how ?ISO 26000 provides guidance for all types oforganization, regardless of their size or location, on :1. Concepts, terms and definitions related tosocial responsibility2. Background, trends and characteristics ofsocial responsibility3. Principles and practices relating to socialresponsibility4. Core subjects and issues of socialresponsibility5. Integrating, implementing andpromoting socially responsible behaviourthroughout the organization and,through its policies and practices, withinits sphere of influence6. Identifying and engagingwith stakeholders7. Communicating commitments,performance and other informationrelated to social responsibilityISO 26000 is intended to assist organiza-tions in contributing to sustainable development. It encourages them to go beyond legalcompliance, recognizing that compliance6

ISO 26000with the law is a fundamental duty ofseeks to promoteof their social responsibility programme.a commonunderstanding of social responsibilityunderstandinging – other existing tools and initiatives.of socialshould consider societal, environmental,responsibility.diversity as well as differences in economicany organization and an essential partThe standard seeks to promote a commonwhile complementing – but not replacWhen applying ISO 26000, organizationslegal, cultural, political and organizationalconditions, while being consistent withinternational norms of behaviour.7

Not for certificationISO 26000 is not a management system standard. It does not con-tain requirements and, as such, cannot be used for certification.Any offer to certify, or claims to be certified, against ISO 26000would be a misrepresentation of its intent and purpose.

What specifically does ISO 26000 contain ?ISO 26000 addresses seven core subjects of social responsibility defined in thestandard and portrayed in the following graphic.Social responsibility : 7 core subjects* The figures refer to the corresponding clauses in the standard.9

Outline of ISO 26000Clause titleClause n Description of clause contentsScopeClause 1Defines the scope of ISO 26000 andidentifies certain limitations and exclusions.Terms and definitionsClause 2Identifies and provides the definition of keyterms that are of fundamental importancefor understanding social responsibility andfor using ISO 26000.Understandingsocial responsibilityClause 3Describes the important factors andconditions that have influenced thedevelopment of social responsibility andthat continue to affect its nature andpractice. It also describes the concept ofsocial responsibility itself – what it meansand how it applies to organizations. Theclause includes guidance for small andmedium-sized organizations on the use ofISO 26000.Principles ofsocial responsibilityClause 4Introduces and explains the principlesof social responsibility.Recognizing socialresponsibility andengaging stakeholdersClause 5Addresses two practices of socialresponsibility : an organization'srecognition of its social responsibility, andits identification of, and engagement with,its stakeholders. It provides guidance onthe relationship between an organization,its stakeholders and society, on recognizingthe core subjects and issues of socialresponsibility, and on an organization'ssphere of influence.10

Guidance on socialresponsibilitycore subjectsClause 6Explains the core subjects and associatedissues relating to social responsibility. Foreach core subject, information has beenprovided on its scope, its relationship tosocial responsibility, related principlesand considerations, and related actionsand expectations.Guidance onintegrating socialresponsibility throughoutan organizationClause 7Provides guidance on putting socialresponsibility into practice in anorganization. This includes : understandingthe social responsibility of an organization,integrating social responsibility throughoutan organization, communication relatedto social responsibility, improving thecredibility of an organization regardingsocial responsibility, reviewing progressand improving performance and evaluatingvoluntary initiatives for social responsibility.Examples of voluntaryinitiatives and tools forsocial responsibilityAnnex APresents a non-exhaustive list of voluntaryinitiatives and tools related to socialresponsibility that address aspects of oneor more core subjects or the integrationof social responsibility throughoutan organization.Abbreviated termsAnnex BContains abbreviated terms usedin ISO 26000.BibliographyIncludes references to authoritative internationalinstruments and ISO standards that are referenced inISO 26000 as source material.11

Core subjects and issues of social responsibilityaddressed in ISO 26000Core subjects and issuesAddressedin subclauseCore subject : Organizational governance6.2Core subject : Human rights6.3Issue 1 : Due diligence6.3.3Issue 2 : Human rights risk situations6.3.4Issue 3 : Avoidance of complicity6.3.5Issue 4 : Resolving grievances6.3.6Issue 5 : Discrimination and vulnerable groups6.3.7Issue 6 : Civil and political rights6.3.8Issue 7 : Economic, social and cultural rights6.3.9Issue 8 : Fundamental principles and rights at work6.3.10Core subject : Labour practices6.4Issue 1 : Employment and employment relationships6.4.3Issue 2 : Conditions of work and social protection6.4.4Issue 3 : Social dialogue6.4.5Issue 4 : Health and safety at work6.4.6Issue 5 : Human development and training in the workplace6.4.7Core subject : The environment6.5Issue 1 : Prevention of pollution6.5.3Issue 2 : Sustainable resource use6.5.4Issue 3 : Climate change mitigation and adaptation6.5.5Issue 4 : Protection of the environment, biodiversity andrestoration of natural habitats6.5.612

Core subjects and issuesAddressedin subclauseCore subject : Fair operating practices6.6Issue 1 : Anti-corruption6.6.3Issue 2 : Responsible political involvement6.6.4Issue 3 : Fair competition6.6.5Issue 4 : Promoting social responsibility in the value chain6.6.6Issue 5 : Respect for property rights6.6.7Core subject : Consumer issues6.7Issue 1 : Fair marketing, factual and unbiased information andfair contractual practices6.7.3Issue 2 : Protecting consumers' health and safety6.7.4Issue 3 : Sustainable consumption6.7.5Issue 4 : Consumer service, support, and complaint anddispute resolution6.7.6Issue 5 : Consumer data protection and privacy6.7.7Issue 6 : Access to essential services6.7.8Issue 7 : Education and awareness6.7.9Core subject : Community involvement and development6.8Issue 1 : Community involvement6.8.3Issue 2 : Education and culture6.8.4Issue 3 : Employment creation and skills development6.8.5Issue 4 : Technology development and access6.8.6Issue 5 : Wealth and income creation6.8.7Issue 6 : Health6.8.8Issue 7 : Social investment6.8.913

Schematic overview of ISO 26000The following graphic provides an overview of ISO 26000 outliningthe relationship between the various clauses of the standard.14

Practices forintegrating socialresponsibilitythoughout anorganization15

How does an organizationgo about implementingISO 26000 ?After considering the characteristicsof social responsibility and its relationship with sustainable development (Clause 3), it is suggested that anorganization should review the principles of social responsibility described inClause 4. In practising social responsibility, organizations should respect andaddress these principles, along with theprinciples specific to each core subject(Clause 6).Before analysing the core subjects andissues of social responsibility, as well aseach of the related actions and expectations (Clause 6), an organization shouldconsider two fundamental practices ofsocial responsibility : recognizing itssocial responsibility within its sphere ofinfluence, and identifying and engaging with its stakeholders (Clause 5).Once the principles have been understood, and the core subjects and relevant and significant issues of socialresponsibility have been identified, anorganization should seek to integratethese in its business decisions and16An organizationshould considertwo fundamentalpractices of socialresponsibility.

activities, using the guidance provided in Clause 7. This involves :making social responsibility integral to its policies, organizationalculture, strategies and operations ; building internal competencyfor social responsibility ; undertaking internal and external communication on social responsibility ; and regularly reviewing theseactions and practices related to social responsibility.Further guidance on the core subjects and integration practicesof social responsibility is available from authoritative sources(Bibliography) and from various voluntary initiatives and tools(some examples of which are presented in Annex A).When approaching and practising social responsibility, the overarching goal for an organization is to maximize its contributionto sustainable development.17

Where to obtain ISO 26000 and other resources ISO 26000 may be purchased from ISO’s national member bodies, whichare listed with full contact details on the ISO Website at www.iso.org/isomembers. It can also be purchased from the ISO Webstore on ISO’sWebsite at www.iso.org. ISO’s members are contact points for more information on ISO 26000. Anumber of them may offer training or briefings on the standard. 18More information can be obtained from the ISO Website (www.iso.org/sr).

What is ISO ?ISO standards helpbreak down barriersISO, the International Organization forStandardization, develops International Standards in an open, impartialand consensus-based process.to international trade,which facilitates globalexchange and promotessustainable growth.More useful links ISOfocus, ISO’s flagship magazine ispublished six times a year in Englishand Frenchwww.iso.org/isofocus ISO videoswww.youtube.com/PlanetISO Follow us on Twitterwww.twitter.com/isostandards Join us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/isostandards19

International Organizationfor StandardizationISO Central SecretariatCh. de Blandonnet 8CP 401CH – 1214 Vernier, GenèveSwitzerlandiso.org ISO, 2018All rights reservedISBN 978-92-67-10973-2

Discovering ISO 26000 provides a basic understanding of the voluntary International Standard ISO 26000:2010, Guidance on social responsibility. This guidance document constitutes a stepping stone for organizations in both the public and pri - vate sectors who want to implement ISO 26000 as a means of achieving the benefits of operating