Added value by ISO 26000

ISO 26000 brings added value to the further development and application of Social Responsibility:

The same language, terminology, concepts and definitions worldwide

• Transparency at last: What is Social Responsibility?
• Uniform internal communication and external communication to stakeholders.
• Precludes unnecessary discussions and saves a great deal of time.

Agreement on Social Responsibility principles

• Provides an ethical direction (standards and values) of SR.
• Offers coordination for good organizational governance.
• Additions based on own principles and cultural values are possible.

Agreement on Social Responsibility issues

• Overview of all issues that contribute to sustainable development.
• Provides insight into possible actions.
• Helps determine relevance to an individual’s own organization.

Connection with familiar systems including

• Quality management: ISO 9001, ISO 9004, EFQM.
• Environmental management and occupational health and safety: ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, SA 8000.
• GRI 3.1 and G4 for SR reporting and indicators.

Framework for adaptation of international treaties, conventions and initiatives for SR based on one’s own organization

• UN Bill of Human Rights.
• UN ILO conventions (for example, fundamental rights of employees)
• Millennium Development Goals à Sustainable Development
• UN Global Compact Ten Principles
• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (framework John Ruggie)
• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Support in setting the Social Responsibility priorities right

• Ordering SR issues by determining relevance and significance.
• Provides criteria for determining SR priorities.
• Guarantees the correct SR focus.

Practical guidelines for Social Responsibility implementation

• Integrating SR in policy, vision and strategy.
• Integrating SR in daily practice.
• Addressing the sphere of influence and chain responsibility.
• Identifying and managing stakeholders.
• Communicating about SR.
• Selecting sustainability initiatives.

ISO 26000 also specifies the general advantages of Social Responsibility such as strengthening an organization’s reputation and supporting an organization’s licence to operate.