ISO 26000 GUIDANCE - A GUIDE TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ISO 26000 defines social responsibility as the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical conduct that contributes to sustainable development, including the health and well-being of society in general.

ISO 26000 is an internationally recognized guideline that supports organizations in practicing social responsibility and integrating it into their business practices. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2010, this standard provides a framework to help companies and other organizations integrate social, environmental and economic aspects into their decision-making processes.

WHAT IS ISO 26000? DEFINITION

ISO 26000 defines social responsibility as the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical conduct that contributes to sustainable development, including the health and well-being of society in general. It takes into account legal requirements and international standards as well as the expectations of stakeholders.

PRINCIPLES OF ISO 26000

The standard is based on a set of core principles that help organizations integrate social responsibility into their strategies and business practices. These principles include

  1. Accountability: organizations should be responsible and accountable for their impact on society and the environment.
  2. Transparency: Organizations should report clearly and comprehensibly on their social, environmental and economic impacts.
  3. Ethical behavior: Organizations should respect and promote ethical principles and values, including fairness, integrity and respect for human rights.
  4. Stakeholder recognition: Organizations should consider the needs and expectations of their stakeholders and communicate with them appropriately.
  5. Respect for the legal system: Organizations should respect and comply with applicable laws and international standards.
  6. Respect for international standards: Organizations should consider and apply international norms for social responsibility to the extent possible and appropriate within their sphere of influence.
  7. Respect for human rights: Organizations should respect and protect human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF ISO 26000

ISO 26000 is aimed at all types of organizations, regardless of their size, sector or geographical location. This includes businesses, governments, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders. The guide is designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet the different needs and circumstances of different organizations.

BENEFITS OF APPLYING ISO 26000

Implementing ISO 26000 offers numerous benefits for organizations, including

  • Enhancing image and reputation through commitment to social responsibility.
  • Improving relationships with stakeholders, including customers, employees and the community.
  • Reducing risk through better management of social and environmental impacts.
  • Promoting sustainable development and long-term success.

ISO 26000 thus provides a valuable guide for organizations wishing to improve and integrate social responsibility into their business practices. By taking into account the needs and expectations of society and the environment, organizations can ensure long-term success while contributing to sustainable development.

PeRoBa Quality Management from Munich - Advice on ISO 26000

Consultancy, implementation, audits and QM tools from a single source

Supplier auditing is an indispensable tool for companies to ensure a transparent, high-quality, sustainable and legally compliant supply chain. By proactively reviewing and improving the performance of their suppliers, companies can not only protect their own reputation, but also build long-term, trusting relationships with their partners. A well-established supplier auditing process therefore contributes significantly to the stability and resilience of the entire supply chain.

PeRoBa GmbH Munich is a service provider with many years of experience in quality management, especially in the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. We help with all important standards (ISO 9001, ISO 26000, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, VDA6.3, IATF 16949,...) on the way to certification or re-certification. We also work closely with universities and research institutes. Managing Director Dr Scherb teaches as a lecturer, for example, at the Hamburger Fern-Hochschule, the FOM in Munich and is also a speaker at the TÜV-Süd Akademie, the Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft and many other institutions.

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