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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.